The message
from "Davy" contains these words:

I need to plant some apple trees in my garden. My requirements are a bit
specific; my wife can't eat apples with tough or thick skins, I want apples
with a spreading habit, etc. I don't care about taste cos I've never eaten
an apple that I didn't like.
I have had many recommendations for varieties but unfortunately they neglect
to tell you that the apple is susceptible to mildew, or that it has an
upright habit, etc.

Does any one know of a good source of information on apples, preferably
online, which mentions skin, vigour, habit, disease resistance and whether
biennial bearing?

There was a Gardening Which? report in October 1984 which did list these
things for 24 of the most common varieties; but of course does not mention
the more modern varieties.

thanks, Davy


I'm not aware of information as detailed as this online. There are,
however, two books which are both very informative:

'The New Book of Apples' by Joan Morgan and Alison Richards
'Apples, a field guide' by Michael Clark

The first covers almost every known apple and gives lots of information
about the fruit, disease resistance, biennial bearing etc but seems to
have less information about the growth habit of the tree.
The second book covers over 100 varieties and is less encyclopaedic in
its approach but does usually comment on the vigour and shape of the
tree. Both mention skin when relevant.

Janet G