Our Variety Assessment

Its strengths, growing requirements and the conditions in which it performs best.

Kingston Black remains a benchmark for cider makers seeking a variety capable of producing complex and powerful cider on its own. Its bittersharp juice combines tannin, acidity, colour and aroma in a rare balance. We recommend it for quality rather than yield. The tree can crop irregularly and may be susceptible to scab and canker, particularly in damp growing conditions.

Kingston Black

Price range: 26,50 € through 59,75 €

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

Pre-orders are open

No payment today. You are reserving your trees before the inventory in early August.

After inventory, we will confirm the available trees and send you a payment link.

Dispatch generally takes place from late November to February, depending on the weather and the progress of lifting the trees.

Choose your tree form

1 year old grafted tree – approx. 1–2 m

Half-standard – 1 to 1.5 m stem

Low-stem tree – approx. 60 cm stem

Standard tree – 1.8 m stem and over

Apple rootstock options

Bittenfelder – approx. 6 m mature height

EM9 – approx. 2.5 m mature height

G969 – approx. 3.5 m mature height

M116 – approx. 4 m mature height

MM111 – approx. 4 m mature height

Clear

Tree size guide

Tree Establishment Guarantee — We support you if your tree fails to establish. View the conditions

SKU: 4353 Categories: Apple trees, Cider apple trees

Description

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

It is one of the few cider varieties where the juice is sufficiently balanced to make a single-varietal cider.

Note that Kingston Black cannot be eaten fresh – it is grown solely for juice / cider use.

Variety characteristics

Variety origin

English variety from Somerset, originating from Kingston St Mary and already recognised in the 19th century as a quality cider apple.

Origin

Period of origin

USDA zone

Flowering

Harvest period

Eating / keeping period

Use

Disease resistance

Self-fertility

Pollinator value

Ploidy

Origin and identity

Parentage

Exact parents unknown

Synonyms

Black Taunton

Growth and adaptation

Vigour and habit

Medium vigour, spreading habit

Disease behaviour

Scab

Susceptible to scab

Canker

Susceptible to canker

Pollination

Compatible pollinating varieties

For reliable fruit set, plant at least one variety with a compatible flowering period nearby. Flowering period: 4 - late.

Harry Master’s Jersey View this variety

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Michelin View this variety

Pommier à cidre 'Marie Ménard' 'Sains Richaumont'

Marie Menard View this variety Frequin Rouge View this variety

Colapuy View this variety

Binet Rouge View this variety

Harvest calendar

Extend your harvest season

Discover varieties from the same category harvested just before, at the same time or just after.

About 15 days earlier

October 15-31

Red Foxwhelp View this variety

Dello View this variety Somerset Redstreak View this variety

At the same time

November 1-15

Colapuy View this variety Wickson Crab View this variety Bedan des Parts View this variety

About 15 days later

November 15-30

Wickson Crab View this variety

Binet Rouge View this variety Vilberie View this variety

Additional variety information for Kingston Black is provided in partnership with Orange Pippin.