12 Jun 2020

Core Blimey! It's apple thinning time

One job that I almost can't bear to do every year (and frequently neglect) is to thin out the small apple fruit. It always seems a shame to remove healthy applets when the tree has put effort into making them. But the wise gardener knows that doing this is a kindness to the tree.

June fruitlet on Core Blimey apple tree
After thinning, all on its own

I have three apple trees to look after - one Core Blimey and two Braeburns.  Part of the original veg patch fruit planting in late 2009, the Braeburns have been fruiting well for a number of years.

The Core Blimey tree (yes, that is its real name) came a couple of years later (January 2013), being one of the original 100 trees developed by the (then London, now Urban) Orchard Project in conjunction with the Scottish conservation charity Trees for Life and Frank P Matthews nursery.  It was 10 years in the making, being developed from a single seed which makes it a very special tree in my book.

The tree was the first new apple tree to be developed specifically for London in over sixty years and a competition was run to name it.  I tip my virtual hat to whoever thought up the name; it's apt, amusing and befitting of a tree bred for its resilience and ability to withstand the rigours of an urban life.

Most of the trees went into parks within London's boroughs but community groups could also apply for a trees, so I did.  And was thrilled to be allocated one.

Despite being bred to withstand harsh urban conditions, my little tree steadfastly refused to blossom or fruit for the next six years.  But in 2019, well, that was a different story.  Finally the tree was covered in blossom in springtime and went on to produce at least three (three!) huge and very delicious blushed red apples.

Large apple in palm of hand
Last year's Core Blimey fruit. I may have eaten the other straight from the tree.

This year I've watched the blossom being pollinated by bees in the warm and dry early spring weather and counted the fruitlets as they formed. It looks like being a good year; I lost track after counting fifty apples on this little tree. But some of this bounty has to be culled.  I've picked my way through the branches, pocketing a couple of handfuls of tiny apples.

Cluster of small apples on the tree
One of us must go ... 

By removing all but one of the baby apples from each cluster (leaving one apple every three to four inches along the branch), the tree can direct its energy towards the remaining fruit. And, bonus, will have enough va-va-voom leftover to be productive in future years.

Some fruitlets will inevitably be shed during the 'June drop'.  This used to worry me as I stared at hordes of tiny apples and cherries on the ground, but there's no cause for alarm. I've since learned that this is just the tree's moment of self-care. And very helpful it is too, as the Braeburns are now too tall for me to reach the top branches.

In theory, Core Blimey fruit will ripen in October and can be stored until January. I'll have to take their word for it as I've fat chance of finding out if this true - the Cox-like fruit will tempt many people I'm sure, which is right and proper in a community garden. I'll keep my fingers crossed that I get to taste at least one.


11 comments:

  1. That's a lovely Core Blimey. I'd enjoy trying a variety like it, one I've never heard of before, because apples rank with me, right up there with figs from my own tree. We had a Granny Smith when we lived in Oklahoma and I loved eating the young applets with salt. I always got in trouble, adults always warned I'd get a stomach ache although I never did. :)

    Waving at you from Texas. ~

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    1. Hey there!, Waving you back from London. Interesting that you ate the little apples with salt, something I've not tried although I might now! I love fresh figs, sadly I don't have a fig tree yet, they don't seem to do so well here but maybe with climate change things it might become possible.

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  2. What a great name for an apple tree! I have a similar situation with a Pink Lady tree that I planted a few years ago. While the Granny Smith and Jonathan (planted at the same time) have bloomed and given me a handful of fruits, this one refuses to do so. Your experience gives me hope, though!

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    1. What a mystery! I hope that your Pink Lady (Cripps Pink) is just finding its feet; if its blooming, and bees are pollinating, it should give you apples.
      In checking whether Pink Lady was self-fertile, I read that the Antipodean breeders don't allow it to be sold in the UK because our climate might not do it justice. Hmmm. You're in Ontario, Canada, so maybe the tree is less able to withstand harsh winters. I would try mulching over winter and then giving the tree a high potash (potassium) feed when it starts to bloom in spring. Let us know the progress, and good luck, Margaret. x

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  3. I really like the sound of your apple tree, lovely to have a special one for London! I have a huge Bramley and can only manage to remove the tiny apples on the lowers branches, nature has to do the rest! The ones I pick last me all winter though as I manage to freeze them.

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    1. The Core Blimey apples are supposed to store well, Pauline; maybe one day I'll find out but they're so tasty that I doubt they'll hang around that long! I like to chop and freeze a load so I have them ready to use in winter.
      I like that the tree has been so successful that it's now available to buy so anyone can own one. I would really like to add to my 'orchard' and grow a variety of apple trees - who doesn't love an apple picked fresh from the tree! And it's so important to get kids eating fresh fruit rather than sweets (in my opinion!) x

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  4. I find it difficult to bring myself to thin apples too.

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    1. I have steeled myself to the task, Sue, but can't reach the middle and top branches of the Braeburns without a tall ladder. I might just have to let nature take its course there.

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  5. It looks a most attractive apple Caro and what a great name. I must check my apple trees at the allotment this week although some very windy weather last weekend and a cracking thunderstorm accompanied by torrential rain last night may have done some thinning out for me. Sadly 'Katy' one of my three trees is bearing less than ten apples so no need there then. It's either the second or the third time that this has happened whilst the other two trees have always flowered prolifically. Another one of those mysteries 😖

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    1. Your Kate apple sounds like my quince, at present only two fruits to be seen when I had around 30 quinces last year. I should have planted it in a more sheltered position, too late now of course, but it has been royally battered by winds this year which might explain the lack of fruit. I bet every one of your ten Katy apples will be treasured and enjoyed. xx

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  6. That tree does produce gorgeous looking fruit, I do hope you get some!I don't like seeing the ground littered with fruitlets either, but it saves me the job of thinning them.xxx

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