Herefordshire Redstreak cider apple trees

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• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Pollination group: 5
• Uses: Hard cider

Herefordshire Redstreak is an old English cider apple variety which produces a bittersharp juice.

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Herefordshire Redstreak cider apple trees for sale

• Semi-dwarf, 1-year bare-root tree $39.95

  Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
  Semi-dwarf rootstock
  

  Out of stock
  Sorry we have sold out for this season

All about Herefordshire Redstreak cider apple trees

Herefordshire Redstreak is an old English hard cider apple variety which produces a bittersweet juice.

Cider produced from this variety often has a red tint and is capable of achieving a high alcohol content.

History

Herefordshire Redstreak was raised from a pip by Lord Scudamore, who owned an estate in Herefordshire in the west of England, in the 17th century. It is possible that he obtained the pips from France, since he was ambassador of King Charles 1 in France from about 1634. Although Lord Scudamore lost his estate during the English Civil War, the variety continued to be known locally as Scudamore's Crab.

Redstreak quickly became a very successful and popular cider variety, on account of its both attractive red juice, and its ability to produce cider with a high alcohol content.

For about 100 years Redstreak was the pre-eminent English cider variety, but production declined rapidly towards the end of the 18th century, as cider became unfashionable. However Herefordshire Redstreak remains popular amongst modern cider enthusiasts, both for its excellent juice qualities and for its historical interest.

In 2016 DNA testing showed that Herefordshire Redstreak was identical to another traditional English cider variety called Red Foxwhelp.

Herefordshire Redstreak characteristics

• Gardening skillAverage
• Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
• Pollination group5
• Pollinating othersAverage
• Picking seasonVery late
• UsesHard cider
• CankerSome susceptibility
• Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
• Country of originUnited Kingdom
• Period of origin1650 - 1699
• Fruit colorOrange / Red