Apple 'Lord Lambourne' Malus domestica 'Lord Lambourne' (D)
ABOUT
'Lord Lambourne' is a dessert cultivar in pollination group 2. It is particularly suitable for northerly, colder, higher rainfall areas. Good, regular crops of apples have a greenish yellow skin, flushed red and a sweet, juicy, attractive flavour. Skin can become greasy when stored. Season of use is from late September to November
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Lord Lambourne Apple
Common names
Malus domestica 'Lord Lambourne'
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
12-15 feet (3.6-4.6 meters)
Spread
12-15 feet (3.6-4.6 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Nutritional Value: Provides a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Home Gardening: Can be grown in personal gardens, offering fresh produce and a rewarding gardening experience.
- Wildlife Habitat: Offers food and shelter for various species of birds and beneficial insects.
- Landscape Aesthetics: Enhances the landscape with its attractive blossoms in spring and fruit in autumn.
- Culinary Versatility: Apples can be used in a wide range of culinary applications, from fresh eating to cooking and baking.
- Economic Importance: Apple cultivation supports local economies, especially in regions where it is a major agricultural crop.
- Community Activities: Involved in cultural practices like apple-picking tours, cider making, and harvest festivals.
Medical Properties- Fiber Content: The apple can contribute to daily fiber intake, which may aid in digestion and help prevent constipation.
- Vitamin C: Apples contain Vitamin C, which supports the immune system and may have antioxidant properties.
- Quercetin: This is a flavonoid present in apples that may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
- Phytochemicals: Apples are rich in phytochemicals which are believed to have a range of health benefits, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
- Dental Health: Chewing apples can stimulate saliva production, which reduces tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria in the mouth.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Apple wood chips from 'Lord Lambourne' can be used for smoking meats to infuse a subtle, sweet flavor commonly enjoyed in barbecued dishes.
- The hard wood of 'Lord Lambourne' apple trees can be crafted into durable and decorative woodworking projects like bowls, carving boards, or small pieces of furniture.
- Leaves from the apple tree can be utilized in the creation of natural dyes for fabrics, yielding a range of colors from yellow to brown depending on the mordant used.
- 'Lord Lambourne' apples can be used for educational purposes, such as demonstrating various scientific principles in classroom settings, including osmosis when soaking slices in different solutions.
- The apple tree's strong branches can serve as support structures for climbing plants in the garden, creating a natural trellis system.
- Apple pomace, the solid leftover from juicing 'Lord Lambourne' apples, can be used as a compost material or as feed for livestock due to its nutritional content.
- During winter, 'Lord Lambourne' apples can be hung on trees to provide a natural food source for birds and other wildlife when other food is scarce.
- Thinly sliced and dehydrated 'Lord Lambourne' apples can be used as decorative, edible garnishes for desserts or cocktails, providing a pleasant aroma and flavor.
- 'Lord Lambourne' apple blossoms can be gently harvested and used to infuse syrups or sugars, giving them a subtle floral flavor suitable for desserts and drinks.
- The foliage of 'Lord Lambourne' apple trees can be added to floral arrangements or wreaths, offering a rustic and fragrant greenery option.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Apple tree is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Apple tree is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Knowledge and Temptation: Apples, such as Malus domestica 'Lord Lambourne', often symbolize knowledge and temptation due to the Biblical story of Adam and Eve where the apple represents the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.
- Love and Desire: In Greek and Roman mythology, apples are associated with love and desire, often connected to deities of love like Aphrodite and Venus.
- Fertility and Abundance: The abundant fruit of the apple tree is emblematic of fertility and plenty, showcasing the tree's capacity to bear a large amount of fruit.
- Eternal Life: In Norse mythology, apples are believed to grant eternal youth, as the gods maintained their vitality by eating magical apples.
- Peace and Harmony: As a gift, apple branches symbolize peace and harmony, suggesting an offering or intention of goodwill.
- Health and Wellbeing: The proverb "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" reflects the fruit's association with health and wellbeing, highlighting its nutritional benefits.
WaterApple trees, such as the Lord Lambourne, should be watered regularly, especially during their first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. The frequency of watering largely depends on soil type and weather conditions, but as a general guide, providing 1 to 2 inches of water per week, either through rainfall or irrigation, is recommended. This equates to about 15 to 30 gallons for a young tree. During the hot, dry summer months, increase watering but allow the soil to dry slightly between watering. In the dormant winter season, you can reduce the watering significantly as the tree requires less moisture.
LightApple trees like the Lord Lambourne prefer full sunlight, which means they require at least six to eight hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. The best spot for an apple tree is in an open area, away from taller structures or trees that might block sunlight. Good sunlight is crucial for flower and fruit development, so ensure your tree has ample exposure throughout the day.
TemperatureThe Lord Lambourne apple tree thrives in a range of temperatures but performs best within the USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8, ideally enjoying temperature ranges from 32°F to 75°F. They can withstand winter temperatures as low as -20°F once fully established. It's important to avoid any late spring frosts which can damage the blossoms, so the ideal temperatures for blossoming would be consistent nighttime temperatures above 32°F without any drastic fluctuations.
PruningPruning the Lord Lambourne apple tree is essential to maintaining a strong structure, ensuring sunlight reaches all the branches, and promoting good air circulation, which reduces disease risk. Prune the tree annually during the dormant winter period, before spring growth starts. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches and thin out the canopy to optimize fruit production. The best time for pruning an established apple tree is late winter or early spring.
CleaningAs needed
SoilApple trees, such as 'Lord Lambourne', thrive in well-draining loam soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mixture of garden soil, compost, and rotted manure will provide the necessary nutrients and structure for healthy growth.
RepottingApple trees like 'Lord Lambourne' are typically not repotted as they are grown outdoors. Instead, they are planted in the ground where they have space to mature and do not require repotting.
Humidity & MistingApple trees, including 'Lord Lambourne', are adaptable to a wide range of outdoor humidity conditions and do not have specific humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Not suitable indoors, requires outdoor planting.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, spacing trees 15-20 ft.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleMalus domestica 'Lord Lambourne', colloquially known as the Lord Lambourne apple, begins its life cycle with a phase of dormancy during the winter when the tree conserves energy and resources. As spring arrives, buds break and flowers blossom, usually in mid to late spring, pollinated by insects to ensure fruit set. Following pollination, the tree enters a growth phase where the fruit develops over the summer months, drawing nutrients from the photosynthetic activity of the leaves. In late summer to early autumn, the apples reach maturity and are harvested when they are ripe. Throughout the year, the tree also experiences vegetative growth, producing new leaves, stems, and roots which will support the next season's crop. After harvest, the tree gradually enters dormancy again as colder weather sets in, completing its annual cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Late winter-early spring
The most popular method of propagating the Apple 'Lord Lambourne' is by grafting, particularly in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. In this method, a scion of 'Lord Lambourne', a short piece of a one-year-old shoot, is cut at an angle to increase the surface area available for bonding. The rootstock, usually from a more vigorous or disease-resistant apple variety, is prepared by making a corresponding cut. The scion is then positioned onto the rootstock so that the cambium layers of both align as closely as possible. This union is bound with grafting tape or ties and covered with a grafting compound to prevent drying out. Over time, usually a few weeks, the scion and rootstock will grow together, forming a new apple tree that produces 'Lord Lambourne' fruit.
