Cider Chat27 Apr 2016

028: John Bunker | Apple Identification

When John Bunker talks or teaches Apple Identification he doesn't begin with the apple. He always goes back to the root of the tree…unless it is one of the Eric Clapton apples, i.e., you immediately recognize it as a variety that you all ready know. John provides a great metaphor for recognizing apples that you have learned to instantly know, much like you would a riff from your favorite musician.

The core of the issue is your knowledge base of beginning to recognize key attributes that stand out during the apple identification process.

Cammy Watts and John Bunker

Where to start with Apple Identification? John says it, Begin by learning at least 24 varieties

Two to learn first:

Macintosh
Cortland

"You want to obsess over a Dingaling Sweet, not a Mac or Cortland apple."

Is it a seedling tree?

When asked: How old it the tree? John says, "I need to see the tree to determine if it is a seedling."

You learn what are the attributes or the characteristics of the tree
Even a hundred years later you can see the graft.

Determining the age in Apple Identification

Trunk diameter.
Is it hollow. All old trees are hollow, so you can't do a core sample. "
"They are coreless"
Is there a pattern?
Are they in rows?
Can you see how they were planted?
What was the distance between the trees?

When you are finally ready to look at the fruit you have eliminated what it could be.

Can you test the DNA of an apple?

The collection of DNA of apples is relatively new in the span of history.

How do we then find out if what we have is a particular apple?

John says, "You eliminated the pool, you are like Sherlock Holmes"

Apples mentioned in this Cider Chat

Northern Spy
Baldwin
Oldman Sweet
Poundsweet
Gravenstine
Blue Pearmain
Northern Spry
Ben Davis
Givens originated in Topsom Maine
Harrison and Hues
Campfield
Wanted info on the Fairbanks apple
Honeycrisp
Gala

FEDCO Trees Catalog

John Recommends: Books: Apples of New York SA Beech 1904 2 volumes

Contact Super Chilly Farm

Website: Go to Out on a Limb Apples the website for Super Chilly Farm is not updated.

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