Kingston Black cider apple trees

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• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Pollination group: 4
• Uses: Hard cider

Kingston Black is one of the premier English cider varieties and produces a bittersharp juice.

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Kingston Black cider apple trees for sale

Pre-order for delivery in spring 2027

• 1Dwarf, 1-year bare-root tree $39.95 Mature height: 6ft-9ft after 10 years
  Dwarf rootstock
  

  Out of stock
  
• 2Semi-standard, 1-year bare-root tree $39.95 Mature height: 10ft-16ft after 10 years
  Semi-vigorous rootstock
  

  Out of stock
  
• 3Full-size, 1-year bare-root tree $39.95 Mature height: 16ft-24ft after 10 years
  Vigorous rootstock
  

  Out of stock
  

All about Kingston Black cider apple trees

Kingston Black is one of the definitive English hard cider apple varieties and produces a very high quality bittersharp juice.

It is one of the few English varieties that can be used without blending, to make a single-varietal cider.

Note that Kingston Black cannot be eaten fresh - it is grown solely for hard cider production.

How to grow

Kingston Black is not an easy variety to grow, in fact it is quite difficult. However it is widely planted for the simple reason that it can be used to produce one of the best quality single-varietal ciders, if not the best.

Kingston Black takes time to start bearing, and although this is less of an issue on dwarf rootstocks, the best quality fruit tends to come from older trees.

This is not usually a productive variety - there can often be a lot of tree and not many apples, although in some situations it produces heavily.

It is a bit susceptible to scab, although this is not likely to be a concern for the backyard grower.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Kingston Black takes its name from the the town of Kingston near Taunton in Somerset, the main cider-growing area of the UK. It is thought to have arisen in the 19th century.

Kingston Black characteristics

• What level of gardening skill is needed to grow Kingston Black?Experienced
• Is Kingston Black self-fertile?Not self-fertile
• What flowering group is Kingston Black?4
• Is Kingston Black good for pollinating others?Average
• What season do you pick Kingston Black?Very late
• UsesHard cider
• How long can you keep Kingston Black in a fridge?2-3 weeks
• What is the overall disease resistance of Kingston Black?Poor
• How resistant is Kingston Black to canker?Some susceptibility
• Is Kingston Black resistant to scab?Some susceptibility
• Is Kingston Black resistant to cedar apple rust?Some susceptibility
• What is the USDA hardiness zone for Kingston Black?Zone 5 (-29C)
• Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
• Where does Kingston Black originate from?United Kingdom
• When was Kingston Black first introduced?1850 - 1899
• Fruit colorCrimson