Brownlees russet apple
A popular English apple from the Victorian era, widely grown at the time and esteemed for its flavour and blossom.
Brownlees' Russet was a popular russet apple in the Victorian era but unlike some of its contemporaries (notably Egremont Russet) it has faded from view. It was rated by the Victorian writer Hogg as an excellent late apple, suitable for dessert and cooking.
Brownlees' Russet is noticeably different from the mainstream russet varieties characterised by Egremont Russet. There is clearly something a bit stronger in its make-up - it recalls another, older, russet variety, Ashmeads Kernel in this respect. The flavour is more robust with pear-drop overtones, and it is a far better keeper than many other russets, indeed it is probably at its best when stored for 2-3 months. However it shares some of the other typical characteristics of russet apples - it is easy to grow and has good disease resistance, and has attractive blossom.
Summary
- Species: Malus domestica
- Origin: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1848
- Developed by: Mr William Brownlees (a nurseryman)
- Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 124100
Identification
- Fruit colour: Yellow / Gold
- Flesh colour: Cream
- Bultitude apple group: 8. Russeted, sweet
Using
- Good for eating fresh
- Good for juice
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style: Sweet/Sharp
- Ripening period: Late season
- Use / keeping: 3 months or more
Growing
- Cropping: Good
- Flowering period: Mid season
- Flowering group: 3
- Fertility: Self-fertile
- Triploid: No
- Vigour: Slightly small
- Precocity: Precocious
- Gardening skill: Very easy
- Attractive blossom Solid pink
- General disease resistance: Good
Climate
- Suitable for temperate climates
Brownlees russet identification photos from official fruit collections
Brownlees russet identification photos from website visitors
Fruit tree register
Do you have a tree of this variety in your garden or orchard? If so please register the details here and contribute to our international register of fruit trees.
The following Brownlees russet trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree.
You can also view these trees on a map.
United States
- Florian Deisenhofer in Brush Prairie, Clark County WA
- Terry Graham in Tumwater, WA
United Kingdom
- Bobthomlinson in WHALEY BRIDGE, DERBYSHIRE
- Graham Hinchliffe in EASTBOURNE, EAST SUSSEX
- Jill Cowley in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
- Karen Guthrie in CONISTON, CUMBRIA
- Kay in LEEDS, W Yorks
- Lenore Greensides in BEVERLEY, East Yorks
- Martin Timms in Baldock, Hertfordshire
- Mike Tighe in UPWELL, NORFOLK
- N. Buck in CAMBRIDGE, Cambridgeshire
- N. Buck in CAMBRIDGE, Cambridgeshire
- Owen Roberts in REEPHAM, NORFOLK
- Sally in RICHMOND, NORTH YORKS
- Terry Smith in HUNTINGFORD, DORSET
Latest Spring blossom records for this variety
2010 season
- 1st May 2010 - tree owned by N. in CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom
- 25th April 2010 - tree owned by N. in CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom
2009 season
- 23rd April 2009 - tree owned by N. in CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom
- 19th April 2009 - tree owned by N. in CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Latest harvest records for this variety
2010 season
2009 season
Mature heights for Brownlees russet trees
This table shows the likely mature height for a Brownlees russet tree taking into account the vigor of the variety, the rootstock, and soil conditions.
| Rootstock | Soil quality | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor | Below average | Average | Above average | Very good | |
| P22 | 2.1 ft 0.6 m |
2.6 ft 0.8 m |
3.2 ft 1.0 m |
3.7 ft 1.1 m |
4.2 ft 1.3 m |
| M27 | 2.4 ft 0.7 m |
3.0 ft 0.9 m |
3.6 ft 1.1 m |
4.2 ft 1.3 m |
4.8 ft 1.5 m |
| M9 | 3.6 ft 1.1 m |
4.5 ft 1.4 m |
5.4 ft 1.7 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
| Bud.9 | 3.6 ft 1.1 m |
4.5 ft 1.4 m |
5.4 ft 1.7 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
| Geneva 16 | 3.6 ft 1.1 m |
4.5 ft 1.4 m |
5.4 ft 1.7 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
| Geneva 11 | 4.2 ft 1.3 m |
5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.4 ft 2.3 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
| M26 | 4.5 ft 1.4 m |
5.6 ft 1.7 m |
6.8 ft 2.1 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
| Geneva 30 | 4.8 ft 1.5 m |
6.0 ft 1.8 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
9.6 ft 2.9 m |
| MM102 | 4.8 ft 1.5 m |
6.0 ft 1.8 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
9.6 ft 2.9 m |
| M7 | 5.4 ft 1.7 m |
6.8 ft 2.1 m |
8.1 ft 2.5 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
| M116 | 5.4 ft 1.7 m |
6.8 ft 2.1 m |
8.1 ft 2.5 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
| MM106 | 6.0 ft 1.8 m |
7.5 ft 2.3 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
10.5 ft 3.2 m |
12.0 ft 3.7 m |
| MM111 | 7.2 ft 2.2 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
14.4 ft 4.4 m |
| Bud.118 | 7.8 ft 2.4 m |
9.8 ft 3.0 m |
11.7 ft 3.6 m |
13.7 ft 4.2 m |
15.6 ft 4.8 m |
| M25 | 9.0 ft 2.8 m |
11.3 ft 3.5 m |
13.5 ft 4.1 m |
15.8 ft 4.8 m |
18.0 ft 5.5 m |
From an idea by N. Buck - more details.
Where to buy apples
The following orchards and suppliers offer Brownlees russet apples for sale. map >
United Statesmap >
-
Mainemap >
- Lamb Abbey Orchards, Union
-
Washingtonmap >
- Hockinson Hill Orchard, Brush Prairie
Canadamap >
-
British Columbiamap >
- Apple Luscious Organic Orchards, Salt Spring Island
Rate this variety for flavor