Pitmaston Pineapple is an old English russet apple from the West Midlands area. It was originally raised as a seedling of Golden Pippin in the late 18th century, but presented to the London Horticultural Society in 1845 by Mr Williams of Pitmaston near Worcester. It crops heavily but has a tendency to biennial bearing - fruiting only every other year.
Its most notable feature is the unusual and prominent pineapple-like flavour. The flavour of apples can be most simply defined on a scale from very acidic to very sweet, but many varieties exhibit other flavour overtones on top of this basic axis, and Pitmaston Pineapple is the best example of a small group of apples where a musky pineapple-like flavour comes to the fore.
Pitmaston Pine Apple apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Pitmaston Pine Apple
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Parents and other ancestors of this variety
- Golden Pippin (parent)
Visitor reviews
- 06 Sep 2024Has pineapple notes, sweet and acidic firm flesh. Gone straight to number one in my top 10
- 26 Dec 2023It did have the front taste of pineapple. Found in the fall at 4000 ft altitude in North Carolina in a very old abandoned farm. Nice lady told me the name.
- 30 Sep 2023I love apples and have tried many but must admit these are one of the best varieties I have ever tasted. The texture and flavour is perfect. Bought from a wonderful organic farm shop.
- 11 Oct 2022Variable cropper, but superb this year. A novelty apple that intrigues thepublic when they see and taste them.
- 23 Aug 2020 WALMER, United KingdomBeautiful flavour, small apples, very sweet sometimes almost sherbet. Flavour changes depending on when you eat them. I prefer leaving them a while. My all time favourite.
- 28 Feb 2019 SUFFOLK, United KingdomBursting with flavour! A small apple but very worthwhile
- 20 Nov 2015 LANARKSHIRE, United KingdomThe yellow fruit flavours in this variety do indeed resemble pineapple. It has very good texture too - not mealy at all.
- 18 Oct 2014 United Kingdomthe best flavoured of my 20 dessert vars. pity about the size
- 11 Oct 2010 DERBYSHIRE, United KingdomThis is a lovely-eating and reliable little apple in my experience, on two different sites and soils and over several seasons in the Derbyshire Peak District. It is also very beautiful: on M27, at least, its habit seems naturally elegant and well proportioned, while the glowing gold of the fruit against the dark green foliage can lift the greyest afternoon.
- 09 Aug 2010 CORNWALL, United KingdomGiven regular pruning, biennial bearing is not a problem with this variety. I do not remember having a year without a reasonable crop after growing it In Devon and N. Wales for over 20 years.
Tree register
United States
- Albany Appleguy in Castleton, NY
- Chris Thomas in Federal Way, WASHINGTON
- Dan Wombles in New Canton, IL
- David Shaffer in Harrod, OH
- Don Mcivor in Twisp, WA
- Jerry Hudgins in Point Reyes Station, CALIFORNIA
- Juan Casero in PALM BAY, FLORIDA
- Lisa Hall in Dahlonega, GEORGIA
- Mike Haller in SIOUX CITY, IOWA
- Nathan Parker in Mount Shasta, CA
- Paul Grochowski in Floyd, VIRGINIA
- Ricky Bruckner in Ravenna, OHIO (OH)
- Ricky Bruckner in Ravenna, OHIO (OH)
- Ryan Grover in Vineyard, UTAH
- Stephan Orchard in Westfield, INDIANA
- Stephen Sain in Los Lunas, NEW MEXICO
- Steve Knoebber in Vicksburg, MICHIGAN
- Steven Stanley in Johnson City, TN
- Trevor Roth in Erhard, MINNESOTA
United Kingdom
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Alison Underwood in Colwyn Bay, NORTH WALES
- Amanda in London,
- Amelia Stone in Three Legged Cross, DORSET
- Amphibian in Weavering, KENT
- Ann in Nottingham, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
- Anthony Payne in Bath,
- Bill Barker And Sharon Cherry in Smeeton Westerby, LEICESTERSHIRE
- Bobthomlinson in Whaley Bridge, DERBYSHIRE
- Celia Cropper in Manchester, LANCASHIRE
- Chris Brewer in Oxford, OXON
- Christine Bradley in LEICESTER, LEICESTERSHIRE
- Claire in LANCASTER, LANCASHIRE
- Clare Burrows in Bodorgan, ANGLESEY
- Clifford Cain in Doncaster, SOUTH YORKSHIRE
- David Rowe in KIRKWALL, ORKNEY
- David Stubbs in Sunderland,
- Dr Dennis Bancroft in Near Rugby, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
- Edward Evans in MANNINGTREE, SUFFOLK
- Elizabeth Moriarty in Oxford, OXON
- Graham Charles Schofield in Newmarket, SUFFLOK
- Hugh Morton in Kingsbridge,
- Jane Eve in Martley, WORCS
- Jean Lippett in Martock, SOMERSET
- Jean Lippett in Martock, SOMERSET
- John Dalton in Edenbridge, KENT
- Karen in Leeds, WEST YORKSHIRE
- Kevinincornwall in Liskeard, UNITED KINGDOM
- Mark Davies in Saddleworth, YORKSHIRE
- Matt Brown in Chester, CHESHIRE
- Meadowcopse in Chester, CHESHIRE
- Melanie in Nr Leicester, LEICESTERSHIRE
- Michael Adams in Halifax, WEST YORKSHIRE
- Michelle in London,
- Mike Pearson in Liverpool, MERSEYSIDE
- Mrs Hilary Ward in Malvern, WORCESTERSHIRE
- Mrs Stephanie Bond in Stourton Caundle, DORSET
- Nick Burrows in Helmsley, NORTH YORKSHIRE
- Nick Burrows in Doncaster, NORTH YORKSHIRE
- Paul Nelson in PRESTON, LANCASHIRE
- Peter Barnard in Doncaster, LINCOLNSHIRE
- Richard Bates in Leicester, LEICESTERSHIRE
- Rob Muir in Mossley, TAMESIDE
- Somewhere in London,
- Steve Sim in Grange Over Sands, CUMBRIA
- Terry Smith in Huntingford, DORSET
- Tobiah Samuel in Hastings, EAST SUSSEX
- Tony in Glasgow, SCOTLAND
- Tv15 in Basingstoke,
- Victoria Birkett in Aberdeen, SCOTLAND
- Warren in Glasgow, STRATHCLYDE
- Zoe Mitchell in Milton Keynes, UNITED KINGDOM
France
- Andrew Dalby in Saint-Coutant, DEUX-SEVRES
Canada
- Bill O'Keefe in Dobbinton, ONTARIO
- Bill O'Keefe in Dobbinton, ONTARIO
- Bill O'Keefe in Dobbinton, ONTARIO
- Bill O'Keefe in Dobbinton, ONTARIO
- Torebuch in Keene, ONTARIO
Australia
- John Adams in Port Melbourne, VICTORIA
Spring blossom records for this variety
2022 season
- 28th April 2022 - tree owned by Hugh in Kingsbridge, United Kingdom
2020 season
- 15th April 2020 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2019 season
- 20th April 2019 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2018 season
- 6th May 2018 - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
- 27th April 2018 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2017 season
- 8th May 2017 - tree owned by Hugh in Kingsbridge, United Kingdom
- 3rd April 2017 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2016 season
- 16th May 2016 - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
2014 season
- 2nd May 2014 - tree owned by Michael in Halifax, United Kingdom
- 31st April 2014 - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
- April 2014 - tree owned by Karen in Leeds, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 15th May 2013 - tree owned by Jean in Martock, United Kingdom
- 11th May 2013 - tree owned by Chris in Oxford, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2020 season
- 3rd week August 2020 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2019 season
- 4th week August 2019 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2018 season
- 1st week October 2018 - tree owned by Ann in Nottingham, United Kingdom
- 2nd week September 2018 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2016 season
- 1st week October 2016 - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
2014 season
- 3rd week September 2014 - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
2012 season
- 3rd week October 2012 - tree owned by Jean in Martock, United Kingdom
2009 season
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Seedling of Golden Pippin
- Originates from: Worcester, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 19th century
- Developed by: Mr Williams
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1955-024
- Some historical details taken with kind permission from 'The New Book of Apples' by Joan Morgan and Alison Richards , illustrated by Elisabeth Dowle, published by Ebury Press, 2002.
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1750 - 1799
- Fruit colour: Green / Yellow
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Rarely grown
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 2-3 weeks
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
- Cropping: Heavy
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Juice
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 4
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Biennial tendency
- Growth habit: Upright
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Very resistant
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Pitmaston Pine Apple apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Pitmaston Pine Apple apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Pitmaston Pine Apple:
United States
Colorado
- Ela Family Farms, Hotchkiss
Georgia
- Freedom Farms - Apple & Peach Orchard, Chatsworth
Maine
- Tiny Orchards, Saco
Michigan
- Alber's Orchard & Cider Mill, Manchester
New York
United Kingdom
England - midlands
- The Vyne, Basingstoke
England - north
- Pickering Road Community Orchard, Hull
- Coulton Mill, York
- Six Nine Orchard, Prudhoe
- Saddleworth Orchard, Saddleworth
Canada
British Columbia
- Apple Luscious Organic Orchards, Salt Spring Island
- Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island
Australia
Victoria
- Petty's Orchard, Templestowe
References
- Apples of England (1948)
Author: Taylor