Pre-order for spring 2024We are now accepting pre-orders for the spring 2024 planting season.
Orange Pippin Trees USA logoSpecialist fruit trees for your orchard or back-yard

Ellis Bitter cider apple tree

Ellis Bitter
Ellis Bitter is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Pollination group: 5
  • Uses: Hard cider

Ellis Bitter is a traditional and popular English cider apple, producing a good quality mild bittersweet juice.

The fruits are relatively large by cider-apple standards.

Ellis Bitter cider apple trees for sale

Our inventory is up to date, you can pre-order now for the spring 2024 planting season.

  • 1Dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 6ft-9ft after 10 years
    G.11 rootstock
  • 2Semi-dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
    G.935 rootstock
  • 3Semi-standard 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 10ft-16ft after 10 years
    Semi-vigorous rootstock
    Out of stock
    Alert me

How to grow

Ellis Bitter is somewhat unusual, being a heavy-cropping and fairly vigorous variety but with a strong tip-bearing tendency. Regular pruning is therefore best avoided.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

Ellis Bitter characteristics

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Pollination group5
  • Picking seasonMid
  • UsesHard cider
  • Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
  • General resistanceAverage
  • FireblightSome susceptibility
  • ScabSome susceptibility
  • MildewVery resistant
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 4 (-34C)
  • Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Flesh colourWhite
  • Fruit colorRed striped