Apple variety Worcester pearmain

This apple was introduced in 1974, raised by a Mr Hale, ancestry possibly Devonshire Quarrenden which has some similarities. It was widely grown through the 20th century but has declined rapidly over the last 30 years. Many of our older customers asked for it by name, so we planted a couple of trees which have just given a first crop.

It is said to be a regular heavy cropper, makes a spreading tree and is mainly a tip bearer, so not suitable for restricted forms like cordon or pyramid. When fully tree-ripened it develops this very beautiful deep red with spots of russet and a rich flavour with hints of strawberry and raspberry.

a 'second early' apple, which is to say its not ripe as early in the season as Beauty of Bath, Miller's Seedling or Irish Peach, but it will keep longer then them before, like all early season apples, turning soft. The flesh may develop a red tinge as it ripens which is perfectly normal.

This popular and successful early season English apple became a casualty of the supermarket domination of the food trade-it is not suitable for mass cultivation and transport systems. However, having now tasted ripe fruit from my own trees for the first time, and also the accounts of several authorities, I judge it worthy of cultivation and plan to plant a few more trees of Worcester Pearmain this winter.

If you were planting a backyard orchard of say 5 apple varieties, I would say plant one early, one late and three mid season apples. This is certainly a contender for the early ripening one.

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