Court of Wick

Origin/History

This variety is said to have originated at Court of Wick, in Somersetshire, England, and to have been raised from a pip of the Golden Pippin (Herefordshire Pomona). Multiple sources describe it as an English dessert apple of the Golden Pippin class. Warder notes it "has not been a favorite in this country, but occasionally succeeds well" and "has little to recommend it in its looks." Downing similarly states it "does not succeed well with us." Thomas concurs: "Fails here." Elliott, however, notes the tree is "very hardy — suited to the North," suggesting some success in colder climates.

Tree

The tree attains the middle size, is very healthy and hardy, and bears abundantly (Herefordshire Pomona). It will succeed on almost every soil, and is not subject to attacks of blight and canker (Herefordshire Pomona). Elliott describes the tree as "very hardy — suited to the North."

Fruit

Size: Below medium to very small. Warder says "very small." Downing and the Herefordshire Pomona say "below the middle size." Elliott says "small." Thomas says "small."

Form: Roundish ovate to roundish oblate, regular, flattened. Warder describes it as "round, truncated abruptly, much flattened, regular." The Herefordshire Pomona says "roundish ovate, regular and handsome." Downing says "regularly formed, roundish oblate, somewhat flattened." Elliott says "regular, roundish ovate, flattened." Thomas says "roundish ovate, approaching oblate."

Skin: When fully ripe, greenish yellow to fine clear yellow, becoming warm orange with some red coloring in the sun, covered with russet. The Herefordshire Pomona gives the most detailed account: "when fully ripe of a fine clear yellow, with bright orange, which sometimes breaks out in a faint red next the sun, and covered all over with russety freckles." Downing says "greenish yellow in the shade, but becoming a warm orange, with a little red in the sun." Elliott adds "dotted with russet specks in sun." Warder says simply "yellow, covered russet." Thomas says "greenish-yellow and orange." The Herefordshire Pomona further notes that in some places, as on the Hastings Sand, the colour becomes "a fine clear orange with a somewhat carmine cheek on the side next the sun; the same rich tint is observed in some localities in Herefordshire."

Stem: Sources disagree on length. Warder says "long, slender." Elliott agrees: "long, slender." The Herefordshire Pomona says "short and slender, inserted in a smooth and even cavity, which is lined with thin russet."

Cavity: Rather wide (Warder). Smooth and even, lined with thin russet (Herefordshire Pomona).

Calyx/Eye: The Herefordshire Pomona describes the eye as "large and open, with long acuminate and reflexed segments." Warder says "small, open" with "segments reflexed." Elliott says the calyx has "long, wide-spread segments."

Basin: Wide, very shallow (Warder). Wide, shallow and even (Herefordshire Pomona). Shallow (Elliott).

Flesh and Flavor: Yellow, firm to tender and crisp, very juicy, rich, and highly flavored. Warder describes the flesh as "rich yellow, firm, juicy" with flavor "acid, aromatic, rich, spicy, sharp" and quality "good in its way." The Herefordshire Pomona says "yellow, tender, crisp, very juicy, rich and highly flavoured" and adds: "The rich and delicious flavour of the fruit is not inferior to that of the Golden Pippin." Downing says "yellow, crisp, and juicy, with a high poignant flavor. Very good." Elliott says "yellow, sharp sub-acid, crisp, juicy." Thomas says "crisp, juicy, rich." Warder characterizes the overall flavor as a "spicy English apple."

Core and Seeds: Core small, ovate, closed, meeting the eye (Warder). Elliott says the core is large — conflicting with Warder's "small." Seeds numerous, large, brown (Warder). Elliott says seeds are ovate.

Season

December to January (Warder). October to March (Herefordshire Pomona). October to February (Downing; Elliott). Autumn (Thomas).

Uses

Universally described as a dessert apple. The Herefordshire Pomona calls it "one of the best and most valuable dessert apples." Warder and Elliott both note it is suited for those who enjoy a firm, spicy, sprightly fruit for dessert.

Other

The Herefordshire Pomona notes that the richness of colour combined with its fine flavour causes the fruit to be attacked with great avidity by birds and insects: "On the sunny side of the tree it is often an exception to find a Court of Wick apple untouched by these marauders."