Tyler's Kernel

Origin/History

Tyler's Kernel originated with a Mr. Tyler of Hereford, who introduced the variety to notice in 1884 (Bunyard). Thomas Rivers & Son (1914) characterize it as being of the Blenheim type. Trees were under test at the Central Experimental Farm in Agassiz, BC, planted in spring 1894.

Tree

Growth is robust (Bunyard) and vigorous (Central Experimental Farm). Fertility is moderate (Bunyard), though Rivers describes it as fine-bearing and hardy. The variety is rather subject to canker (Bunyard).

Leaves are large, roundish, very dark, flat, and boldly and sharply serrate (Bunyard).

Fruit

Size and Form

Bunyard describes the fruit as large, measuring 2½ by 3 inches, markedly conical, slightly angular, and very variable in shape and size. The Central Experimental Farm concurs on the conical form but describes the size as medium or above medium, and the shape as oblong, conical. Rivers also calls the fruit large. The discrepancy in size between the Agassiz observations and those of Bunyard and Rivers may reflect differences in growing conditions.

Stem

The stem is generally extremely short, set in a medium russet cavity (Bunyard).

Cavity

Medium, russeted (Bunyard).

Calyx

Not described in source.

Basin

Very deep; the eye is a little open (Bunyard).

Skin

Bunyard describes the colour as soft and pale yellow. The Central Experimental Farm, however, records the skin as greenish yellow and nearly covered with dull red — a significant difference that may reflect local climate, cultural conditions, or stage of ripeness at time of observation.

Flesh and Flavor

The flesh is yellowish, crisp, and juicy, with a mildly sub-acid, pleasant, rich aromatic flavour; quality rated very good (Central Experimental Farm). Bunyard characterizes the eating quality as sweetish.

Core and Seeds

Not described in source.

Season

The fruit ripens in September (Central Experimental Farm). It is a culinary variety that keeps until March (Bunyard), with Rivers extending the season to February–May, suggesting good storage potential through late winter and into spring.

Uses

Primarily culinary (Bunyard). Quality rated very good (Central Experimental Farm).

Other

Bunyard describes Tyler's Kernel as "a useful late fruit rather subject to canker." Rivers groups it with the Blenheim type, which implies a large, well-flavoured, productive character consistent with the other sources.