Starting 1 September 2024, the free Fruit identification service returns for RHS members. Before sending in any fruit, members are encouraged to take a moment to read the details provided below.
Important notice:
Fruit samples cannot be identified at the face-to-face RHS Gardening Advice desks. Please refer to the other ways to identify your fruit.
What fruit you need to send
- Please send three typical ripe fruit complete with stalks
- Please well wrap the fruit in tissue paper (or similar) and pack it in a box
- Avoid selecting fruit that is misshapen, undersized or not ripe
- Include a small branch with undamaged, mature leaves also helps
How to send in fruit for identification
Post the fruit as early in the week as possible to ensure it reaches in good condition. Send to: Fruit Naming, Gardening Advice, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB.
Please include the following information in a letter accompanying the fruit, if the printed form provided above is not used:
Your name, address, RHS membership number, and email address (a response will be sent by email whenever possible, along with the following information):
- Town/city/village where the tree is growing
- Typical ripening/picking time
- Use – dessert, culinary, dual-purpose or cider
- Location such as a domestic garden or an old orchard
- Age of the tree if known, or an indication of age such as very old, mature or fairly recently planted
- Any additional information you think might help identify the fruits
A response will be provided within 10 working days of receiving the fruit. However, some samples may require additional time for identification, so please allow for possible delays.
Please note: Fruit samples cannot be identified at the face-to-face RHS Gardening Advice desks. Please refer to the other ways to identify your fruit.
Privacy notice: Your personal data will be used by the RHS for the purposes of contacting you about your Fruit cultivar sample and for purposes stated in the member section of our Privacy Policy. Your data will be stored on our Gardening Advice and membership system in line with our retention policy. Please read the ‘Member’ section in our RHS Privacy Policy on our website for more information about how we use your personal data and how to exercise your rights under the applicable data protection legislation.
Other ways to identify your fruit
- Brogdale Collections, home of the National Fruit Collection, offer a postal apple and pear identification service from mid-August to October. Find out more on the Brogdale website
- Have a go at identifying the fruit yourself using the Fruit ID website
- Check out the Blackmoor Apple Tasting Day on Sunday
13 October, 10am–4.30pm (includes apple identification service)
