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Growth Facts

Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Spacing: 12-15'
Exposure: Full Sun
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Ashmead's Kernel Apple

Malus domestica 'Ashmead's Kernel'

This Tree is not available for Sale at this time through Bower & Branch. Bower & Branch provides this information for reference only. Please check back with us or contact us for more detail.

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
Show more ›

The Story
The Details
How to Grow
More Info
Q&A

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

Cold Tolerance/Hardiness Zone 4

Heat Tolerance/Hardiness Zone 9

Exposure Full Sun

Avg Mature Height 12-15' Tall

Avg Mature Width 12-15' Wide

Spacing 12-15'

Growth Rate Moderate

Leaf Color Green

Fall Leaf Color Yellow/Brown

Flower Color White

Flower Time Spring - Early Season

Fruit Color Golden Brown

Fruit Time Fall - Late Season

Cary Award Winner No

PA Gold Medal Award No

Attractive Bark No

Attracts Birds Yes

Attracts Butterflies No

Attracts Hummingbirds No

Attracts Pollinators Yes

Deer Resistant No

Drought Tolerant No

Dry, Poor Soils No

Edible Fruit Yes

Fragrant Yes

Groundcover No

Hedge/Windbreak No

Native No

Salt Tolerance/Seashore No

Seasonal Cut Branches No

Shade Tolerance No

Showy Flowers Yes

Specimen No

Urban Conditions Yes

Utility Line Trees Yes

Wet Moist Soils No

Winter Interest No

Woodland Garden No

Decor/Craft Use No

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!