Owner's comments
There is a possibility that this tree is at least 150 years old (anecdotal local information suggests maybe even 200). The tree was present before the house was built in 1969 and was massive - easily some 40 foot in height. Regrettably time and the climate have taken their toll and half of the original tree has now collapsed and the interior is heavily rotten. However, despite these threats, the tree continues to grow and crop abundantly every year! I have also grown 3 new trees from crop seeds which are doing very well. However I'm not sure whether these are self-pollinated or will even be a replica of the existing tree which, because of its size and height, I would think was not root stocked. It has recently been identified as an Allington Pippin (Old Variety) by a tree surgeon, however this identification may not necessarily be entirely accurate. The fruit certainly closely resembles the images I have seen of Allington Pippin. The apples have been cooked by our family since we arrived, and keep well, though they are not particularly good as eating apples.
