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Postal identification

The Royal Horticultural Society offers a fruit identification service available to members and others for a fee. To make use of this service:

• For each variety, 3 samples of typical mature fruit with shoot and leaves. Don't send poor specimens as these are very difficult to name.
• Provide as much detail about the tree as possible: age and habit of tree; whether the fruit is dessert/culinary/both; season of use; the locality of the tree, soil type would also be useful.
• Number each sample and make a note/map which tree it comes from as the fruit cannot be returned and you may forget which was which. Apples and pears are best numbered gently on the fruit skin with a ballpoint or marker pen, stick on labels can peel off.
• Wrap fruit in newspaper, bubble wrap, polystyrene granules, etc. and pack in a strong box to avoid crushing. Do not use boxes that have previously contained strongly smelling products such as soap as this can mask the characteristic scent and flavour of the fruit.

Samples should be sent with a stamped addressed envelope and the appropriate fee (2009 - £8.00 per variety for members to £16 for non members) to:

The Director of Horticulture (Fruit Naming)
RHS Garden
Wisley
Woking
Surrey GU23 6QB

Tel: 0845 260 9000 or see www.rhs.org.uk

The same process is offered by Brogdale Farm:

Postal Fruit Identification
Brogdale Collections
Brogdale Farm
Brogdale Road
Faversham
Kent ME13 8XZ

2009 – cost £12.00 per sample payable to Brogdale Collections. 6 weeks for reply, longer in autumn. www.brogdalecollections.co.uk