Leathercoat
Accession no. YPC.2018.07. Planted Dec 2018
Malus domestica. Late, Dessert. Origin Oxon. c.1580
Sponsored by Yarnton Playing Field Committee
Leathercoat Russet is a rare and ancient variety from the 16th century. It was mentioned by Shakespeare in Henry IV and so named because of its heavily russeted skin.
It is a dessert apple and the vigorous trees can grow from 2.5 – 3.5 m in height. It requires a pollinator from groups 2, 3 or 4 to produce a crop. The apples are ripe in mid-October and will store until March.
The apples are medium sized with golden-yellow skin and covered with russeting. They have a sweet sharp flavour, becoming sweeter towards the end of the year and when in storage.
