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Prince William cider apple trees

Malus domestica
Check pollinators >
  • Picking season: Mid
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 2

Prince William is a modern bittersweet cider variety. It has an interesting parentage - it is a cross between Michelin, a traditional French bittersweet cider variety, and the well-known James Grieve dual-purpose apple from Scotland.

The apples have a yellow skin, overlaid with an orange flush where the sun catches them. The stalk is usually quite long - like Michelin.

The apples ripen in late September but are not really suitable for eating, and instead should be used for juice and cider blends.

Prince William cider apple trees for sale

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree M116 rootstock £35.50
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Please try next season
  • BR22-year bare-root tree MM111 rootstock £43.50
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Please try next season
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Delivery charges

Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.

Growing and Training

Although relatively new, Prince William has proved to be easy to grow and a reliable cropper.

History

Prince William was developed at the Long Ashton Research Station in the 1980s, part of a progamme supervised by the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) to extend the harvest period of UK cider production. Whereas most traditional varieties aren't ripe until November, Prince William can be harvested in late September.

The variety was named in June 2003 by cider manufacturers Bulmer, in honour of Prince Wiliam's 21st birthday - the Prince having apparently announced he preferred cider to beer.


Prince William characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group2
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climates

Using

  • Picking seasonMid
  • CroppingHeavy
  • Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
  • Food usesJuiceHard cider

Identification

  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1950 - 1999
  • Flesh colourCream

Similar varieties

  • See also James Grieve
    James Grieve
    James Grieve is the classic Scottish dual-purpose apple. It can be eaten fresh, and is also excellent for juicing and cooking.
  • See also Three Counties
    Three Counties
    Another bittersweet developed at Long Ashton, but Three Counties is a cross between Dabinett and James Grieve.

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This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2024.