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Kingston Black cider apple tree

Kingston Black
Kingston Black is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • 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

  • 1Small 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 6ft-9ft after 10 years
    Dwarf rootstock
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  • 2Medium 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
    G.935, G.969 rootstock
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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

  • Gardening skillExperienced
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Pollination group4
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • PloidyDiploid
  • Bearing regularityRegular
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • WildlifeRHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking seasonVery late
  • UsesHard cider
  • CroppingLight
  • Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
  • Juice styleBittersharp (cider)
  • General resistancePoor
  • CankerSome susceptibility
  • ScabSome susceptibility
  • Cedar apple rustSome susceptibility
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)(5) -20F / -29C
  • Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1850 - 1899
  • Fruit colorCrimson
  • Fruit sizeAverage