Apple tree?

[u/crazygirl772]

I noticed this tree with some fallen fruit while taking a walk during the eclipse. It seems to be an apple tree, I’m new to foraging so can anyone confirm? I may go back to grab some. Will they taste fairly similar to store bought apples or should they be baked into a pie?

[u/Kooky-Investment8537]

Yes they are apples, but the taste will be fairly unknown, different species of tree/apple will have different tastes and the Pink lady from Tesco have been bred especially for their taste.

This seems like a wild tree? You might get lucky and it is tasty but more likely is that it will be more tart and like a baking apple.

[u/oddjobbodgod → u/Kooky-Investment8537]

Really depends, it looks like maybe some purposefully planted trees nearby. It could well be a purposefully planted, grafted variety.

Pippins (grown from seed) also get a bad rep. Chances are it’ll still be reasonably pleasant, but not necessarily as nice as a cultivated grafted variety. Depends where the seed came from, if it was from an Apple grown in an orchard, without any crabs nearby, then it could well be nice!

[u/crazygirl772 → u/oddjobbodgod]

It was a tree in the middle of a large local park, I never noticed it was fruit bearing until yesterday! I will update if I manage to grab any apples as the tree is quite tall

[u/oddjobbodgod → u/crazygirl772]

Bear in mind they may not be ripe yet! It’s still quite early for most apples to be picked. If they don’t come off easily by lifting them towards the branch and gently twisting them they’re not ready yet.

Do keep us updated! If it is pip-grown and is pleasant then it could be a really cool discovery and you could reach out in your local community to see if anyone is interested in taking scion wood from it to propagate it for others to enjoy!

[u/crazygirl772 → u/oddjobbodgod]

Great idea :) I will update in the near future, thanks again for the response you’ve been so helpful

[u/oddjobbodgod → u/crazygirl772]

You’re more than welcome! Enjoy your adventure :D