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Ashmead's Kernel Apple
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It won't win any beauty contests, but Ashmead's Kernel Apple will thoroughly enchant you. It's so different! A rough, dull mustard-brown surface hides a delicious, creamy yellow, sweet-tart flesh. Sharp-tasting when freshly picked, Ashmead's Kernel mellows in storage, acquiring complex and hard-to-define undertones. Apple connoisseurs have found hints of pear, pear drops (a popular British candy), Champagne, Madeira, lemon, honey, nutmeg, nuts, and sherbet! What does it taste like to you? You'll just have to grow it and find out! You won't find this heirloom oddball at the grocery store, so having your own Tree is the way to go.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Spacing: 12-15'
- Exposure: Full Sun
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Recommended by Our Growers
The Story
If an Apple a day keeps the doctor away, then Ashmead's Kernel was bad for business for the originator of this Tree. He was a physician! Dr. Thomas Ashmead of Gloucester, England, grew it from seed about 300 years ago. It has been kept alive ever since by fans of its unique flavor. Ashmead's Kernel is a triploid Tree, which means that it needs another Apple Tree to pollinate it, but it cannot pollinate another Apple Tree in return. Many Crabapples will also work. A Crabapple is a good choice as pollinator if you decide that the harvest from one Apple Tree is plenty for your needs.
The Details
Ashmead's Kernel isn't normally a profuse bearer, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Beginning fruit growers can often get overwhelmed by super-abundant harvests. A modest crop may be exactly what you and your family want.
How to Grow
In general, Apple Trees are easy to grow, but getting a big harvest of unblemished fruit can be a real challenge, as there are several pests and diseases that find Apples like Ashmead's Kernel as tasty as we do. There are many steps you can take, however, to protect your Tree in effective but responsible ways. Our Growers are happy to help you find the best plan for you; contact them anytime at grower@bowerandbranch.com. Practicing good culture and hygiene will go a long way towards keeping your Tree strong and healthy. Plant your Ashmead's Kernel Apple Tree in full sun in a site with well-drained soil and good air circulation. Water regularly and mulch to keep the root zone cool and evenly moist. And always promptly remove and destroy any diseased branches, leaves, or fruit. Ashmead's Kernel is one of the few British-bred Apples that performs well in North America.
More Info
Questions & Answers
Q: How big will this Tree grow?
A: We grow the Ashmead's Kernel Apple on a semi-dwarfing rootstock (S-M7). This will give you an apple that will grow 12-15' in height and width before pruning to form. You can expect a substantial harvest in 3 to 5 years using this rootstock, or about 3 years after planted at your home.
Q: What other variety of Apple do I need to pollinate my Ashmead's Kernel Apple?
A: The Ashmead's Kernel Apple is best pollinated by a variety of Apples: the Gala, Honeycrisp, Empire and Braeburn are just a few!
One note to make is that the Liberty Apple is what we call a triploid - meaning it has three chromosomes as opposed to two (like most other Apples). This means that it will not pollinate any other Apple - it is 'sterile'. If you plant a Liberty, two other Apple Trees are required nearby, each of different varieties, which can cross-pollinate each other as well as the triploid Tree. This might sway you from growing triploid varieties, but they have many advantages including very good disease resistance!
Size Guide
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