Kidd's Orange Red apple

Kidd's Orange Red apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

USDA identification images for Kidd's Orange Red

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.

Visitor reviews

• 11 Aug 2024 

  I bought a Kidds Orange sapling about 4 years ago; I was looking for A Heritage Variety but there was one of these! I remember buying a whole box of these apples from my local organic shop, they were soo good. For the last 2 years I had Coddling Moths, this was dreadful 🫣 Somehow this year, after ridding it off the Winter moth larvae (hundreds of them, which ate my friends’ entire apple tree!!), the apples are just beautiful. It’s now August, I’m not sure I can wait 2 more months to pick them 😄🍏🍎 Thank you for this article, I didn’t know the background. Iòna, Malvern, UK 🏞?🌄
• 05 Sep 2018  VA, United States

  Excellent grower here in VA. Did well this year of exceptional rain and heat, ripe around Sept 1. Delicious balance of sweet and tart, chewy like a russet and not too red as to attract the crows.
• 14 Oct 2017  NOTTS, United Kingdom

  After much research I planted one of these trees as an espalier in a sunny corner of my garden three years ago. Just had my first crop, not heavy, just a dozen apples but the fruit were larger than expected from the description I'd read, those dozen weighing in at a tad under 7lb. The apples are delicious. When eaten straight after picking they are crisp but after a couple of days change to being as described. The flavour is exceptional, possibly more sweet than a Cox but I would say the difference is imperceptible, all in I'm very pleased with my choice and am hoping for more crop next year.
• 08 Oct 2017  DEVON, United Kingdom

  Tasted at RHS Rosemoor's Apple Weekend, it had a good texture and was delicious. Looking forward to planting one among others.
• 13 Mar 2015  WASHINGTON, United States

  Kidds, I've about 15 trees on bud-9 in med clayloam (all my soil is this rich-no water, no fertilizer) 65 deg. mean avg temp. Perfect, simple, regular bearing. I like keepers and this isn't unless picked early. Cox Orange is better to be sure-it's the shape and texture that wins it over. Kidd's reminds me of gala-shape texture, certainly better flavor, Fiesta and Alkmene are better.
• 15 Oct 2013  HEREFORDSHIRE, United Kingdom

  We moved into our present home in the early 80's. There was an apple tree in the garden which we were unable to identify until recently. The Marcher Apple Society told us it was a Kidd's Orange Red. I have to say that it is undoubtedly one of the best apples I have ever tasted, the flavour is so intense and more than sweet almost like a good dessert wine. So pleased that we finally know what variety it is.
• 03 Jul 2013  DEVON, United Kingdom

  Tasted 1 at our local food festival some years ago & was hooked.Bought 2 trees immediately.Pest&disease resistance is great,though not a heavy cropper(only thing preventing it from grown commercially.Thoroughly recommend but not as a single tree as self-sterile
• 09 Sep 2012  NY, United States

  I've had a few of these Kidd's Orange Red this year from a farm stand and I really cant tell the difference between these and a prime Cox's Orange Pippin. Its been said these are sweeter, but I cant taste it. Its a superb apple to eat. Its texture is melting as described in texts and is very easy to eat. It may be overwhelming to those not accustomed to eating strong flavored apples,t keeps your taste buds busy with a kaleidescope of flavors. I dont taste any Delicious flavors at all, it just has the Delicious shape. Its a crime these arent sold in place of Gala, because they put them to shame in appearance and taste.
• 14 Mar 2011  SUFFOLK, United Kingdom

  My Grandfather F.E.Williamson imported the first Kidds Orange Red tree from New Zealand in 1932. That tree helped our family grow Williamson Fruit Farms Ltd to being the largest grower of Kidds in UK in 1980's. Today my father still keeps a few trees on our farm in Suffolk. We make a small volume of Kidds Apple Juice. www.applejuice.uk.com
• 09 Apr 2010  norfolk county, Canada

  does anyone know where i can find these trees in canada?
• 01 Dec 2009  NORFOLK, United Kingdom

  We are planting a Heritage Orchard at the moment and would like to include 2 Kidds Orange Red Apple trees, after tasting these delicous apples at North creake apple fair, We are finding it difficult tracing these trees and would appreciate details of a supplier of these trees in the Norfolk area.
• 31 Aug 2009  NEWARK, CA, United States

  I have Kidds grafted to a Cox Orange Pippin. Scion wood given by a friend years ago. The apple is fabulous. Great for eating or cooking. I make applesauce using no sugar or spices; just Kidds and a bit of apple juice. The flavor is outstanding.
• 12 Apr 2009  BROOKLYN, NY, United States

  I found your site when I was doing research on the Gala, a favorite of mine, and I just wanted to say I love your enthusiastic prose style, especially in this piece.
• 07 Apr 2009  VIC, Australia

  Kidd's Orange Red has just one our 2009 apple of the year at the Petty's Heritage apple festival, this has been held by the Heritage Fruits Society Inc for 11years, which runs a tasting tent with about 100 variities for the public to taste and vote on. more info www.petethepermie.com
• 29 Oct 2008  KENT, United Kingdom

  I was at Brogdale (National Apple Collection) today and bought a Kidd's Orange Red tree, having read these recommendations. They had some of the apples for sale and I have to say they really are wonderful. They reminded me more of pear drops than parma violets and have the most wonderful sweetness - this in a year with not a huge amount of sunshine. I have a small old orchard with a lot of cookers in (Bramley and Howgate) so I am looking forward to next year's crop immensely! Just have to weed out some self-sown sycamore to make room.
• 23 Oct 2008  California, United States

  On the West Coast, at least, I've not found this not to resemble in any great way the wonderfullness of Cox Orange. For me it has some of the cloying qualities of Red Delicious. Now Belle de Boskoop, that's another story...
• 02 Sep 2008  SCOTLAND, United Kingdom

  I used to get these every year from my local greengrocer who clearly knew what he was up to. The first time I ate one I had a 'Proustian' moment - you know: that sensation you get when you taste something you have not tasted for years and which transports you to some wonderful childhood memory! Kidds are like apples used to be: truly the best!
• 11 Oct 2007  Ireland

  I agree. This apple is unbeatable. Aside from its superb eating qualities, I find it completely pest and disease resistant, no need to thin and keeps well till the new year. I always recommend this variety to people who want to plant an apple tree.
• 19 Sep 2007  SOMERSET, United Kingdom

  This is probably my favourite of the 30 different varieties I've planted over the past 18 years. It's a beautifully shaped, healthy tree (standard), would be fine if it was never pruned, has had a good crop every year and the flavour is evolving but delicious over about twelve weeks. It's my favourite juicing apple and will happily wait till I get round to the task in November, unlike the earlier varieties in the orchard.

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• United States34
• United Kingdom47
• France 2
• Germany 1
• Netherlands 2
• Portugal 1
• Spain 2
• Australia5
• New Zealand4
• Switzerland2

Where to buy trees

The following tree nurseries offer Kidd's Orange Red apple trees for sale:

• Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
  Kidd's Orange Red apple trees
• Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
  Kidd's Orange Red apple trees
• Thomas Fruit Trees (EU) France
  Kidd's Orange Red apple trees

Where to buy fresh fruit

The following orchards grow Kidd's Orange Red:

United States

• California

  • Arroyo Community Garden, Petaluma

• Maine

  • Tiny Orchards, Saco

• New York

  • Albany Apple Guy:Purveyor of Rare & Exotic Apples, Castleton
  • Black Diamond Farm, Trumansburg

• Oklahoma

  • High-Fence Farm LLC, Sand Springs

• Washington

  • Skipley Farm, Snohomish        *** Feature Orchard ***

United Kingdom

• England - midlands

  • Walsgrove Farm, Worcester

• England - south-east

  • Lavenham Brook Vineyard and Orchard, Sudbury
  • Crapes Fruit Farm, Colchester

• England - south-west

  • Charlton Orchards, Taunton
  • West Bradley Orchards, Glastonbury

Canada

• British Columbia

  • Apple Lane Orchards, Denman Island
  • Apple Luscious Organic Orchards, Salt Spring Island
  • Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island

Australia

• Victoria

  • Heritage Fruits Society, Fairfield

References

• Apples for the 21st Century
  Author: Manhart
• Fruit Expert
  Author: Hessayon
• Some Antique Apples for Modern Orchards, (2008)
  Author: Merwin I.A.