Hi Doug,

Thank you for submitting your question to UVM Extension Master Gardeners. This is harder than it sounds. I will explain why below. 

Apples: Without some type of documentation from the purchaser of the fruit trees, it is very difficult to identify a specific fruit cultivar, especially for apples because there are so many types. Sometimes you can narrow down the possibilities to a short-list of potential cultivars based on the color, texture, appearance, time of ripening, age, and size of the tree and then use an on-line apple data base. Other suggestions: bring apple samples to an orchard-based Apple Day event. The most specific way is to use a genetic testing service that uses DNA fingerprinting to identify specific cultivars, but this may be more than you are interested in. See the following reference https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/how-can-i-identify-apple-tree-variety-my-backyard

Peaches: Reliance and Contender are two peach varieties that do well in VT. You probably have one of these cultivars. Once the peaches are ripe, you can compare photos and determine which you are likely to have.

Pears: Again many cultivars. Knowing the possibilities for your planting region could help. Do you know what Plant Hardiness Zone you are in-  Zone 4 or 5? You can check on this map https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov

You may be able to call around to find a fruit tree nursery that would be willing to look at your photos and fruit samples to help with ID.

I will also reach out to my collaborators to see if they are aware of anyone who helps with fruit identification at UVM. I will reach back out if I have further info and feel free to write again if you have more questions.

Hi Doug,

We are waiting to hear from a  fruit tree specialist at UVM. I will write back when we hear from him.

Thanks.

Hi Doug,

It would be best to submit this as a separate question through the Helpline since it is unrelated to the original question. Thanks so much.

No problem

Hi Doug,

Our Master Gardener coordinator heard back from Dr. Bradshaw, UVM tree fruit specialist and he was not able to identify the fruit tree variety (there are more than 7,000 identified apple varieties across the globe and more than 2,000 grown in the U.S). Some references that may be of interest to you: from Arbor Day https://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree and some manuals https://fedcoseeds.com/ogs/apples-and-the-art-of-detection-tracking-down-identifying-and-preserving-rare-apples-9470 and https://www.fruitid.com/#main,  but specific species identification would require genetic testing. I find this option fascinating since DNA analysis has come a long way in the last few decades. There is a private testing lab on the West Coast if you are interested: https://myfruittree.org/welcome

Best of luck in your search!