KERRY PIPPIN Introduced by John Robertson of Kilkenny in 1802 and also recorded in 1802 in Tighes Survey of Co. Kilkenny - “Statistical Survey of Co. Kilkenny” as a cider apple. The Dubordieu 1812 survey of Antrim also included it. A small, early dessert apple with firm flesh; crisp and juicy and with a rich fruity taste. It was once said to be as ‘colourful as a tortoise-shell butterfly’, and prized for shop and table displays. Heavy crops and large flowers. Pollination Group 2

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

KESWICK CODLIN Found on a compost heap at Gleaston Castle, Nr Ulverston, Lancashire, and distributed in the 1790s by John Sander of Keswick. An early cooker with the characteristic angular codlin shape; very juicy and refreshing when eaten raw and needing little sugar when cooked. Popular as a decorative tree because of its very pretty blossom and neat growth. Heavy crops, which store for a month or two. It was widely grown in Yorkshire as well as Cumbria, where it was valued for tarts as early as July. It was common to use many different codlins well before they were ripe. Rogers (1837) said the apples could be used when no bigger than a walnut. Pollination Group 2

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

KIDD’S ORANGE RED A New Zealand variety, introduced to England around 1932. It was bred by Kidd, a farmer with a passion for breeding English type apples. Showy fruit, orange-gold with pinky-red stripes and some russeting. Firm and juicy and developing a rich, floral flavour, but it wants a warm climate to achieve its best, so is not recommended for Scotland. Attractive pink and white blossom. Ripening in October, it will last until the New Year. Pollination Group 4

   
 

KING CHARLES PEARMAIN First recorded by Hogg in 1876, who had acquired it from Worcestershire, but it is believed to be much older. A late season dessert apple with russeted green and gold skin, often red flushed near the sun. The slightly conical apples have crisp, juicy flesh with a sweet, nutty flavour. Ripe in October, the apples store until March. Pollination Group 4

   
 
KING DAVID This is an American apple, but one widely planted in Europe and Australia. It was found in 1893 growing in a fence row at Ben Frost’s farm in Washington County, Arkansaw. It was introduced by the famous nursery of Stark Brothers in 1902 and became a favourite for commercial orchards, being promoted as better all round than the popular ‘Jonathan’. King David is believed to have been from a cross of either Jonathan x Winesap or Jonathan x Arkansaw Black. A medium to large, very good dual purpose apple, which has also been used for cider. The apples are, in some years, almost entirely coloured with dark red. The flesh is crisp, juicy, sweet and quite strongly flavoured; a flavour which becomes even richer with storage. It is ripe in October and will store into the New Year. Pollination Group 5
   
 
KING HARRY Bunyard says that it was received by The Royal Horticultural Society from Mr Manning of London, who had it from near Woodstock, Oxfordshire. The first record was in 1842 but the apple is earlier. It was still in existence in Britain quite recently, at Allgrove’s Nursery, Buckinghamshire, now closed, and its fate was uncertain. We found the apple to have been in the U.S. Plant Genetic Resources Unit at Cornell University since 1949 and, following the receipt of scionwood from there, new trees were grafted here in 2005. It is a mid to late dessert apple which both Hogg and Bunyard rated highly. The size is small to medium and truncate conic. The skin is pale yellow with russet dots and the flesh is firm, tender and yellow, with a sweet, rich flavour. Growth is moderate and upright. Bunyard called it a distinct fruit of good quality. We agree. Pollination Group 5
   
 
KING OF THE PIPPINS Reine des Reinettes, Golden Winter Pearmain and Prince's Pippin are just some of the many synonyms it has acquired. It has been known since 1770, but is probably much earlier. A multi-purpose dessert apple, used for cider in France and England, and for cooking in France, as it keeps its shape. It has been widely grown in all areas of England. When eaten raw it has firm flesh with a sweet and sharp, tangy, rich flavour. A reliable cropper, with golden skin flushed tawny red. A good cropper, part tip bearing, but willing to form spurs. It keeps until February. Hogg also describes another King of The Pippins, which is an early season apple, presumed missing. Attractive blossom with pink reverses. Pollination Group 4
   
 
KING OF TOMPKINS COUNTY An American dessert apple, grown in America since at least 1804 and long valued and grown in Britain, having been introduced by nurseryman Thomas Rivers of Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, in the 19th century. Valued for its beautiful appearance; large, golden fruit, with red flushes and streaks and sweet juicy flesh. It keeps its shape completely, when cooked, is rich and sweet and is very useful for pies and apple cake. When fully ripe it is a good crisp, juicy and sweet eating apple. Strongly growing trees. Ripe in October, the apples will stay in fine condition until the year end. T. Pollination Group 3
   
 
KING'S ACRE PIPPIN A late dessert apple introduced in 1899 by King's Acre Nurseries in Hereford. Thought to be a cross between Ribston Pippin and Sturmer Pippin, it has the sweet/sharp Sturmer taste with the aromatic, juicy flesh of the Ribston. Vigorous trees, with a spreading habit and pretty blossom. Partially tip-bearing. Stores until February. T. Pollination Group 4
   
 
KING’S HALL A new name for a very old apple variety, borne on an ancient, decayed and hollow tree, which is now more two trees than one, with the original trunk now largely missing. Yet sturdy boughs, held by the re-growing sides of the old trunk, still provide a good crop of apples. The tree is in the garden of Kings Hall, a 12th century dwelling, once part of Ashwell Farm, in Little Kingshill, Buckinghamshire. The accepted history is that Kings Hall was one of several monastic cells that housed the founders of Missenden Abbey, before it was founded in 1133. It was later used by King John for entertaining and carousing, thereby acquiring its name. A separate orchard contains many other old trees, but this one stands separate and stands out, as being rather special. The medium sized apples are an unusual shape, long and often with a curved fleshy extension at the stalk, rather like a long Lemon Pippin. Ripe in late October, they can be eaten fresh and are pleasant and lemony, but with modest sweetness and flavour, and slightly firm flesh. When cooked, the fruit takes a while to soften and then goes quickly and breaks up. The flavour is very rich and rather tart, balanced beautifully with the addition of just a little sugar. A very welcome discovery, only made possible by the care and curiosity of owners Jill and Ray Bate and whose help and hospitality, in their unique ‘Hall’, are greatly appreciated, as is their choice of the perfect name for their apple. Pollination Group 5