Vale Apples

Apples
Malus domestica

Stocken Orchard is a cider apple orchard, with two main types of apple; Somerset Redstreak, an early variety and Dabinette, a main crop variety. There are also a few trees of Michelin, probably planted as pollinators. We harvest our apples with the aid of a tractor-mounted shaker and a ground gatherer/harvester.
Before the apples are harvested they are tested for startch content using Iodine.

VLHT's Stocken Orchard

Iodine test

Shaker (image courtesy M. Mather)

Harvester (image courtesy M. Mather)

Dabinett

One of the main cider apple varieties grown since 1960s. Will become a biennial cropper if neglected. Less vigorous but requires regular detailed pruning to maintain a centre leader tree. Ready to harvest late October - Early November.

Somerset Redstreak

Inclined to be a biennial cropper if neglected. Will grow as a centre-leader tree if pruned regularly. Ready to harvest late September - early October.