George Cave apple
George Cave is an early English apple, ripening in early/mid August. It has a pleasing appearance, and like many summer apples can vary in colour from its basic green/yellow colour to all-over red depending on where the apple is exposed to the sun.
The flavour is typical of early English apples, lacking any of the aromatic qualities found in later season varieties, and basically just tasting of "apple". The main distinguishing feature of the flavour is that it is somewhat stronger and more intense than other early season varieties. The flesh has some crispness straight from the tree and is moderately juicy, but softens within a few hours of picking, and becomes dry and mealy within a few days - this is an apple that is at its best on the day of picking.
George Cave is not widely-grown, but it retains a following and many fruit tree nurseries list it in their catalogues, and the apples are sometimes available from small farms and orchards.
George Cave apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for George Cave
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 2023 Steve GrudgingsThese apples are great straight off the tree AND make an excellent juice
- 24 Aug 2022 Sally DriscollTasting notes are spot on. A lovely early apple, full of flavour and yes, soft after picking. My tasters came from Helmsley Walled Garden.
- 01 Aug 2022 Elizabeth MccannThis is a fantastic good all rounder as it has a good zing that can also make a lovely cooking apple. The apple is small to medium in size and kids love them!!
- 11 Oct 2015 Peter jHERTFORDSHIRE, United KingdomThe first apple of the season in my garden. Most years I start using them before the end of July, and some years the first two or three have fallen by then. Sharp but pleasant. I agree that they don't keep well, but they are acceptable until September or early October, by which time other varieties are available in my garden. Best to thin the young fruit for fewer but larger apples.
- 30 Aug 2015 RichardDORSET, United KingdomMy tree produces masses of small apples in August every year. Reasonably pleasant to eat fully ripe straight from the tree but otherwise not worth eating. I sometimes use for chutney.
- 24 Sep 2013 JulieLONDON, United Kingdomdoes not store well , impractical to eat on day of picking as have hundreds of them!! They drop from the tree when ripe so difficult to havest as pick one , and a shower of them falls off!
Tree register
United Kingdom
- Alison Quinsey in Beccles, SUFFOLK
- Bill Barker And Sharon Cherry in Leicester, LEICESTERSHIRE
- David Raynes in Litton, SOMERSET
- David Scarle in Nottingham,
- Genevieve Cutter in Brecon, POWYS
- Kevinincornwall in Liskeard, UNITED KINGDOM
- Kevinincornwall in Liskeard, UNITED KINGDOM
- Lyn Cooper in Llandovery, CARMARTHENSHIRE
- Malcolm Goodwin in Eye, SUFFOLK
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Paul Haines in Llandyfriog, Newcastle Emlyn, CEREDIGION
- Pooler Clements in Ilford, ESSEX
- Robin Livermore in Carmarthen, CARMARTHENSHIRE, WALES
- Steve Sim in Grange Over Sands, CUMBRIA
- Steve Stoodley in Glastonbury, SOMERSET
- Stuart Logan in Newbury, BERKSHIRE
Ireland
- Dan Kissane in Killarney, CO KERRY
Switzerland
- Helmut Mueller in Neukirch, THURGAU
Spring blossom records for this variety
2018 season
- 3rd May 2018 - tree owned by Bill in Leicester, United Kingdom
2017 season
- 25th April 2017 - tree owned by Bill in Leicester, United Kingdom
2016 season
- 9th May 2016 - tree owned by Bill in Leicester, United Kingdom
2015 season
- 3rd May 2015 - tree owned by Bill in Leicester, United Kingdom
- May 2015 - tree owned by Paul in Llandyfriog, Newcastle Emlyn, United Kingdom
2014 season
- 22nd April 2014 - tree owned by Bill in Leicester, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 19th May 2013 - tree owned by Bill in Leicester, United Kingdom
- May 2013 - tree owned by Dan in Killarney, Ireland
2010 season
- 26th April 2010 - tree owned by Stuart in Newbury, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2020 season
- 4th week July 2020 - tree owned by David in Nottingham, United Kingdom
2017 season
- 1st week August 2017 - tree owned by Bill in Leicester, United Kingdom
2016 season
- 3rd week August 2016 - tree owned by Bill in Leicester, United Kingdom
2015 season
- 3rd week August 2015 - tree owned by Bill in Leicester, United Kingdom
- 2nd week August 2015 - tree owned by Paul in Llandyfriog, Newcastle Emlyn, United Kingdom
2014 season
- 2nd week August 2014 - tree owned by Steve in Glastonbury, United Kingdom
- 2nd week August 2014 - tree owned by Bill in Leicester, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 2nd week September 2013 - tree owned by Bill in Leicester, United Kingdom
- 2nd week August 2013 - tree owned by Dan in Killarney, Ireland
2012 season
- 2nd week August 2012 - tree owned by Lyn in Llandovery, United Kingdom
- 1st week August 2012 - tree owned by Helmut in Neukirch, Switzerland
2011 season
- 4th week July 2011 - tree owned by Helmut in Neukirch, Switzerland
2010 season
- 1st week August 2010 - tree owned by Helmut in Neukirch, Switzerland
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Originates from: Essex, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1923
- Developed by: Mr George Cave
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1979-160
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1900 - 1949
- Fruit colour: Orange / Red
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Very early
- Keeping (of fruit): Does not keep
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style (apples): Sharper
- Discoloration of fruit: Oxidising
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Fruit drops when ripe
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking period: mid-August
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Fruit bearing: Partial tip-bearer
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
Climate
- Frost resistance of blossom: Good resistance
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow George Cave:
United Kingdom
England - north
References
- Fruit Expert
Author: Hessayon