Ellis Bitter cider apple trees

• Check 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

You can pre-order now for spring 2025

• 1Dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
  Mature height: 6ft-9ft after 10 years
  G.11 rootstock
  

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• 2Semi-dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
  Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
  G.210, G.214 rootstock
  

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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