Warner's King

Origin/History

The origin of Warner's King is not given in any of the leading orchard authorities, and is described by Bunyard (1920) as "very uncertain," though it is generally considered Kentish, dating from the early nineteenth century.

Mr. Lewis A. Killick, writing in the Journal of Horticulture and quoted at length in the Herefordshire Pomona (1885), provides the most detailed account of the variety's probable origin. He reports having found this apple "in almost every fruit growing district, and usually under different names." Though he could not trace it in Kent under the name Warner's King for many years, he was certain from his own examination that it had been grown for nearly fifty years under a local name. He observed it in Middlesex under the name Salopian, and was growing it himself also as Nelson's Glory and D. T. Fish. One of the leading nurserymen of the time imported what was presented as a "new" apple from Scotland, which acquired considerable reputation at the Crystal Palace on account of its size and appearance, but proved upon examination to be Warner's King. From this, Killick concluded: "I think we may fairly conclude that Mr. Warner's King was the King of many other people beside himself; but Mr. Warner recognising true loyalty linked his fortunes to those of the rising monarch."

In a subsequent direct communication to the Herefordshire Pomona, Killick elaborated: "The apple I mentioned in The Journal of Horticulture as having been grown locally for 50 years, and that has turned out to be Warner's King, originated in an orchard in Weavering Street, near Maidstone, now in the possession of my brother, Mr. Austen Killick. The tree consists of about two thirds of Devonshire Quarrenden, and one third of 'Killick's Big Apple,' as it was called. I can trace it back nearly 40 years with certainty, and the tree was then full grown, so that I have no doubt it must be over 50 years old, even if a graft had been introduced into the Old Quarrenden tree. We have grafted trees of it many years since, and it is now grown largely in the neighbourhood of Maidstone as The Weavering, or Killick's Apple. Most growers that now have planted Warner's King are discovering their identity."

At the time of the Herefordshire Pomona (1885), Warner's King was described as "now perhaps the most favourite culinary apple in cultivation," and as one that "usually takes the first place in its class at all fruit exhibitions."

Tree

Warner's King is very hardy, a vigorous and free grower, and a good bearer. The Herefordshire Pomona notes it is not subject to disease, though Bunyard (1920) flags that the variety is "rather liable to canker."

The growth habit is notably upright. Killick, quoted in the Herefordshire Pomona, states: "It grows vigorously, and has a very upright mode of growth, and therefore in overcrowded orchards, instead of grubbing up the superfluous trees graft them with this variety, and in a few years the others would probably then receive the same fate."

Bunyard (1920) describes fertility as moderate.

The tree succeeds admirably as an espalier.

Leaf (Bunyard, 1920): Large, very long oval, very dark, very undulating, nearly flat, sharply serrate.

Bark, twigs, lenticels, and buds are not described in the sources.

Fruit

Size and Form

Fruit is very large. The Herefordshire Pomona (1885) gives precise measurements: four inches wide and three and a half inches high, and describes the form as ovate. Downing (1900), citing Hogg, similarly describes it as very large and roundish ovate. Bunyard (1920) gives dimensions of 4 by 3 inches and describes the form as flat conical and irregular.

Stem

The Herefordshire Pomona (1885) describes the stalk as half an inch long, deeply inserted. Downing (1900) describes it simply as short. Bunyard (1920) describes the stem as fairly long — a conflicting characterization relative to Downing's "short."

Cavity

The Herefordshire Pomona (1885) describes the cavity as round and funnel-shaped, lined with thin yellowish brown russet. Bunyard (1920) describes it as very deep and slightly russet.

Calyx

The Herefordshire Pomona (1885) describes the eye as small and closed, with long acuminate segments, set in a narrow, deep, and slightly angular basin. Downing (1900) describes the calyx as small and closed. Bunyard (1920) describes the eye as closed, set in a very broad and deep basin — notably describing the basin as "very broad," which contrasts with the Herefordshire Pomona's characterization of it as "narrow."

Skin

The Herefordshire Pomona (1885) describes the skin as of a uniform clear deep yellow, strewed with russety dots and patches of pale brown russet. Downing (1900) similarly describes the fruit as deep yellow with russet dots and patches. Bunyard (1920) gives the colour as pale green to pale yellow.

Flesh and Flavor

The flesh is white and tender. The Herefordshire Pomona (1885) further describes it as crisp and juicy, with a fine brisk and subacid flavour. Downing (1900) concurs: white, tender, crisp, brisk subacid. Bunyard (1920) describes the flesh as tender, white, and acid.

Core and Seeds

Not described in the sources.

Season

In season from November to March (Herefordshire Pomona, 1885; Downing, 1900). Bunyard (1920) gives the season as culinary use until February.

Uses

A fine, handsome culinary apple of first-rate quality (Herefordshire Pomona, 1885). Downing (1900) confirms it is valuable for culinary use. The Herefordshire Pomona states it "usually takes the first place in its class at all fruit exhibitions" and recommends it as a variety that "should find a place in every garden of choice fruit." It succeeds admirably as an espalier.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in the sources.

Other

Warner's King has been recorded in cultivation under numerous synonyms across different regions, including as the King Apple, Salopian, D. T. Fish, Nelson's Glory, Weavering, and Killick's Apple, reflecting its wide and independent distribution under local names before its identity was consolidated. The variety was also at one period presented and exhibited as a distinct new introduction imported from Scotland before being identified as Warner's King.