Description
A green and good cropper, with a sharp juicy, yet soft refreshing flavour, the tree fruits well in the North although with a slight biennial tendency. According to Robert Hogg in The Fruit Manual the original tree was found growing behind a wall at Gleaston Castle near Ulverston, Lancashire among a quantity of rubbish. Mr John Sander then introduced the apple in 1793 from his nursery in Keswick, Cumbria. Highly regarded by the Backhouse nurseries of York and Hilary Wilson of Cumbria.
"Keswick Codlin is, of course, included in Hilary Wilson's lists of apples that do well at northern latitudes, and at damp high altitudes, and it has been a valued culinary staple across much of northern Britain, found frequently in orchards under restoration throughout the north both east and west. The 1910 Backhouse catalogue describes it as a
Select Kitchen Apple, an immense bearer, which succeeds in almost every soil and situation. It was once widely grown throughout the British Isles. Hogg records that in the Memoirs of the Caledonian Horticultural Society, 1813, Sir John Sinclair says: "The Keswick Codlin tree has never failed to bear a crop since it was planted in the episcopal garden at Rose Castle, Carlisle, twenty years ago. It is an apple of fine tartness and flavour, and the fruit is of good size, considerably larger than the Carlisle Codlin. It flourishes best in a strong soil."
A seedling that arose on a rubbish heap at Gleaston Castle, near Ulverston (then Lancashire), and known since 1793. Introduced by Keswick nurseryman, John Sander. Keswicks grown in the north are usually greener, taller and slimmer than those of softer climes. An excellent cooker, for tarts and pies, for baking, for applesauce, jellies, butters, or for making a light creamy purée with a little sugar." © Lin Hawthorne - 'The Northern Pomona'.
For help with choosing the correct rootstock for your needs, please click here A Guide to Rootstocks
For help with choosing the correct size and shape, please click here A Guide to Fruit Tree Shapes
