A List of Heritage and Modern Varieties of Orchard Fruit Trees found to do well in Scotland

We get regular enquiries about the best varieties. That is a big question because it depends on location and conditions – so aspect, exposure, soil, drainage, altitude and of course opinion!
Here is list of suggested varieties was collated in consultation with various Scottish orchard experts – so this was a collaborative effort. Contributors are named in the document. Modern and heritage varieties are given. It is hoped that this will be a useful resource for those wanting to select varieties that do well in our conditions. Feel free to comments on this document.

Here’s a pdf- essentially a large table of varieties for apple, pear, plum, damson, gage, cherry, crab, hazel, cob and walnut.
Orchard Variety Suggestions v4d.pdf

Here’s the same as a spreadsheet so you can sort columns etc if you are into that.
Orchard Variety Suggestions v4d.xlsx
Have a look at the references – they include some really useful books for advising on fruit.

Heritage Pears

The pear also comes with a great deal of cultural interest.  Most of our pear varieties are of French origin.  (Most apples varieties were bred here).  In Scotland, the historical record shows that pears became common following the introduction by the then ‘new’ monasteries in the late 12th Century.  These monastic orders came predominantly from France, for example Chartres or Tiron. The monks brought their liking for pears with them  – and hard pears were a dietary staple that could be stored throughout the winter.  (This was in the days before the potato).  So would you fancy some pear soup?  The monks did!

Record a Heritage Pear Tree

Our friends at the Ancient Tree Hunt have been recording heritage trees for years.  So we suggest that their system is well suited to recording heritage pear trees.  Please use their system at this link:

http://www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk/recording
 
Project Outline

The Heritage Pear Project project was initiated by key members of the Yorkshire-based Northern Fruit Group, and is now being fostered by enthusiasts and experts, individuals and organisations across the UK, one of which is Orchard Research & Enterprise.

The project is only in its early stages, but is ambitious in its scale.

The aims which are still developing are currently:

• Record heritage pear trees
• Create a pear Variety Identification expert system
• Identify samples submitted
• Propagate unusual and unknown pear varieties
• Provide expertise & training on conservation management
• Tell the story of the heritage of pear trees in Britain

To identity the location and condition of the best examples of heritage pears across the UK, the project will:

•  use existing survey information such as the Orchard Inventories across the home nations.
•  create a framework and set of resources for volunteer recorders to visit and detail particular specimens.
•  coordinate a network of local organisations, enthusiasts as well as orchard owners across the UK.

If you are interested in this nascent project, then drop us a line and we’ll keep you updated

heritagepears@orchardrevival.org.uk