Identifing fruit tree varieties

freezspirit

Sorry if this sounds a stupid question but I just wondered how I could identify a couple of fruit trees.

1 peach tree, espalier shape, currently got peach leaf curl - (I'm guessing by the appearance of the leaves)
2 plum trees, espalier shape
1 apple tree, Goblet shape and by the looks of the fruit it looks like a cooking apple variety

All are between 10-15 years old so any labels on the trees have been removed or completely faded.

Would I be better to wait next year to be able to identify them when the flowers appear rather than now with the fruit?

Mojisola

The flowers won't help with identification. You need to show the fruit to someone who knows. You might be lucky in finding someone at a garden centre who knows their stuff but there are more "shop assistants" working at them these days than trained horticulturists. Allotment holders might be able to recommend someone. We have local "apple days" in the autumn to encourage the use of home-grown apples. There's usually an expert there who will identify varieties. Also, of course, there are loads of pictures on google.

theoretica

If you have a local botanic garden they may be able to help or refer you to someone who can.

Suzy_M

Try your local library for a copy of "The English Apple" by Rosanne Sanders - though this may not be any use if it is a very modern variety.

Failing that do a search for "Apple Days" or "Apple Weekends" being held September / October 2010.

e.g.

http://www.england-in-particular.info/cg/appleday/a-events.html

http://www.applesandorchards.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=164&Itemid=53

BUT for a really good day out or weekend I can highly recommend "The Big Apple" event held around the Marcle villages in Herefordshire. - (The Apple Teas are scrumptious - just don't wear tight clothes!)

http://www.bigapple.org.uk/index.html