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Three Counties cider apple trees

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

Three Counties is a modern bittersweet cider variety. It has a passing resemblance to Dabinett (one of its parents) but ripens much earlier - usually in mid-September.

Three Counties cider apple trees for sale

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree M116 rootstock £35.50
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR22-year bare-root tree M116 rootstock £46.00
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR31-year bare-root tree MM106 rootstock £34.95
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Please try next season
  • BR41-year bare-root tree MM111 rootstock £34.95
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • BR52-year bare-root tree MM111 rootstock £47.50
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • BR62-year (1.75m) bare-root tree M25 rootstock £46.95
    Very large tree (4m-7m 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.

Next deliveries

Order now for delivery from week commencing 6th January.

Delivery charges

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

Fruit tree delivery to EuropeEU delivery
This variety is also available for delivery to Europe. Contact us for details.

History

The Three Counties cider apple variety is named after the traditional cider-growing counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. It was developed at the Long Ashton Research Station of the University of Bristol in the 1990s, in response to demand from commercial cider producers for a cider apple that would ripen in September - much earlier than the traditional varieties. It is thought to be a cross between Dabinett - one of the best English cider varieties, but very late ripening - and James Grieve - a juicy early-season apple.


Three Counties characteristics

Growing

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

Using

  • Picking seasonMid
  • CroppingHeavy
  • Food usesJuiceHard cider

Identification

  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1950 - 1999
  • Fruit colourRed striped

Similar varieties

  • See also Dabinett
    Dabinett
  • 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.
  • Prince William
    Another bittersweet developed at Long Ashton, but Prince William is a cross between Michelin and James Grieve.

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