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Red Foxwhelp cider apple trees

Malus domestica
Red Foxwhelp apples
Red Foxwhelp is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Very late
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 5

Red Foxwhelp is a highly-regarded traditional English cider apple.

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

Red Foxwhelp cider apple trees for sale

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root treeM25 rootstock£34.95< 5 in stock
    Very large tree (4m-7m after 10 years)
  • BR22-year (1.75m) bare-root treeM25 rootstock£46.95
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Please try next season

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Call us on 01759 392007 or fill in our contact form.

Tree specification

Photos of trees as supplied | Tree sizes and forms

Next deliveries

Order now for delivery from week commencing 24th February.

Delivery charges

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

Recommended pollinators for Red Foxwhelp cider apple trees

Red Foxwhelp is not self-fertile, so you will need another different but compatible variety planted nearby in order to produce fruit. The following varieties are good pollinators for Red Foxwhelp. If you are not sure about pollination requirements don't hesitate to ask us. More pollinators >

  • Pollinator Harry Masters Jersey
    Harry Masters Jersey
    Harry Masters Jersey is a traditional English cider apple variety, producing a bittersweet juice.
  • Pollinator Michelin
    Michelin
    Michelin is a traditional French cider apple variety producing a bittersweet juice.
  • Pollinator John Downie
    John Downie
    John Downie is a traditional crab apple for making crab apple jelly. White blossom and orange-red fruits.
  • Pollinator Dabinett
    Dabinett
    Dabinett is a traditional English cider apple variety, producing a bittersweet juice.
  • Pollinator Brown's Apple
    Brown's Apple
    Brown's Apple is a traditional English cider apple variety producing a sharp juice.
  • Pollinator Comtesse de Paris
    Comtesse de Paris
    Comtesse de Paris can be considered as an improved Golden Hornet. It features the same white blossom and persistent yellow fruitlets, but grows with a better form.
  • Pollinator Yarlington Mill
    Yarlington Mill
    Yarlington Mill is a traditional English cider apple variety producing a bittersweet juice.
  • Pollinator Golden Delicious
    Golden Delicious
    The flavour of home-grown Golden Delicious is far better than its supermarket reputation.

History

The Foxwhelps are a group of old cider varieties originating from the traditional cider-growing areas of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

In 2016 DNA testing showed that Red Foxwhelp was identical to another well-known west country cider variety, Herefordshire Redstreak, which is known to have been raised from a pip by Lord Scudamore, who owned an estate in Herefordshire in the 17th century. It is possible that he obtained the pips from France, since he was the ambassador of King Charles 1 in France from about 1634.

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.

This article by Lily Waite gives more insight into the Foxwhelp cider apples.


Red Foxwhelp characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group5
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climates

Using

  • Picking seasonVery late
  • CroppingGood
  • Food usesHard cider

Problems

  • CankerSome susceptibility

Identification

  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1650 - 1699
  • Fruit colourOrange / Red

British-grown trees Trees grown in the UK.

Unlike many garden centres and online retailers, the vast majority of our fruit trees are grown in the UK. Find out more.

In addition, all our trees are certified under the Plant Healthy scheme, supervised by the Plant Health Alliance. Other stakeholders include Defra and the RHS. The scheme aims to improve UK biosecurity by setting standards for all growers and retailers involved in selling plants in the UK. Find out more

Guaranteed fruit trees

When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden whilst it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund - subject to some conditions. Find out more.

More about cider apple trees

In England and France there is a tradition of breeding apple varieties specifically for the production of cider. These varieties are generally not edible, but are grown for the qualities of their juice.

Cider production usually relies on a blend of different cider apples, and cider varieties are divided into four groups on the characteristics of the juice they produce:

  Sweeter Sharper
Higher tannin Bitter sweet Bitter sharp
Lower tannin Sweet Sharp

Some mainstream apple varieties can also be used for cider production or in cider blends, and some crab apples are also useful for cider blends.


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