Frank P Matthews
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A tree that has been grown in the field and then lifted out of the ground when dormant. Available from November to March. The roots are more open and the direct contact with the soil encourages them to settle in and establish more readily.
These are 2yr old trees that have been grown 1yr in the field and the second in a pot. Container trees can be planted at any time of the year but establish best when planted during the autumn and need to be watered well during the first summer.
Cider apple trees are grown for the qualities of their juicing. The fruits are rich in tannins which adds bitterness and sugars which encourages fermentation. The cider apple varieties that we grow are divided into four groups for their characteristics of their juice with a mixture of sweet, sharp, bittersweet and bittersharp.
Most cider apple trees are late to crop and are ready from mid October onwards. Stores well in a cool atmosphere. We supply cider apples on a range of rootstocks from medium vigour to very vigorous.
Pruning can take place any time of the year. Structural pruning should be done in the winter, and light pruning and shaping in the summer to encourage more flower and fruit for the following year.
Apple Cider
Late bittersweet cider apple. A sport of Dabinett but slightly more vigorous, picking later with a dark purple flesh.
The most reliable cider variety. Has a bittersweet juice that produces a high-quality, medium-dry cider on it's own.
Mild bittersharp cider apple. Produces regular crops of large yellow fruit with a pink flush. A compact tree.
Dark red fruit produces a full bitter-sweet taste with a soft astringency. A regular, reliable cropper.
A distinctive cider of excellent single variety quality. Small yellow-green fruit flushed dark red, almost black.
Bittersweet cider apple. Reliable and heavy cropping. Upright tree habit. Fruit is small greenish/yellow and waxy.
Large, green/yellow with freckled russet. Produces a light, fruit cider. Can be eaten fresh with a sweet, tangy taste.
Vintage, bitter-sharp cider apple. Dark red skin and creamy flesh. Disease resistant, vigorous grower.
Mild bittersharp cider apple. This is a 17th century variety producing a very sharp juice which is dry.
Traditional bittersweet apple making one of the best quality ciders, can be biennial. Attractive shiny red apples.
A rare, naturally small tree which produces a bittersweet cider.
Golden flushed with crimson flecks and pale lenticels. Juice has robust astringency, sweet and low acid.