Ribston Pippin

History and description of Ribston Pippin

A very old English variety believed to have been raised at Ribston Hall, Knaresborough, Yorkshire c1707 from a seed brought from Rouen in France by Sir Henry Goodricke. The original tree was blown down by wind in 1810. Supported by stakes it survived and continued to produce fruit until 1835. When the tree eventually died shoots grew from the roots to produce a new tree which survived until 1932. The variety was first listed in 1769. Highly esteemed in Victorian England. Grown commercially in the UK, North America, Australia and New Zealand in the 19th Century and early part of the 20th Century. Continues to be a popular garden variety. Received the RHS Award of Merit in 1962. Reputed to be the parent of Cox's Orange Pippin.

Medium to large sized fruit. Round-conical, often lopsided in shape. Brownish red flush and stripes over olive green and yellow skin give the fruit a lovely autumnal colour. Pale yellow, fairly dry crumbly flesh. Strong, aromatic flavour. Keeps relatvely well but becomes rather dry in storage. Best eaten soon after picking.

Fairly vigorous, upright, triploid tree. Attractive blossom. Fairly good cropper but with a tendency to drop its fruit.

Characteristics of Ribston Pippin apple trees

Use	Dessert
Colour	Flushed
Flavour	Aromatic
Fruit size	Medium
Picking time	Late Sep/Early Oct
Season of use	Oct-Jan
Tree vigour	Moderate
Tree habit	Upright
Fruit-bearing	Spur-bearer
Cropping	Good
Disease resistance	Canker - Susceptible Scab - Slightly susceptible
Suitable for	Northern Britain
Special features	Attractive Blossom Good for Cider
Pollination date	8
Pollination group	C
Self-fertility	Self-sterile triploid
Pollinators	Pollination partners
Progeny	Cox's Orange Pippin Cox's Pomona Freiherr von Berlepsch King's Acre Pippin Laxton's Rearguard Reverend W Wilks Saltcote Pippin