Three Counties cider apple trees
Malus domestica 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 treeM116 rootstock£35.50
Medium tree
(2m-3m after 10 years)
Out of stock
Please try next season
BR22-year bare-root treeM116 rootstock£46.00
Medium tree
(2m-3m after 10 years)
Out of stock
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BR31-year bare-root treeMM106 rootstock£34.95
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
Out of stock
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BR41-year bare-root treeMM111 rootstock£34.95
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
Out of stock
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BR52-year bare-root treeMM111 rootstock£47.50
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
Out of stock
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BR62-year (1.75m) bare-root treeM25 rootstock£46.95
Very large tree
(4m-7m after 10 years)
Out of stock
Please try next season
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Tree specification
Photos of trees as supplied |
Tree sizes and forms
Delivery charges
Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.
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
- Gardening skillAverage
- Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
- Flowering group2
- Pollinating othersAverage
- Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
- Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climates
- Picking seasonMid
- CroppingHeavy
- Food usesJuiceHard cider
- Country of originUnited Kingdom
- Period of origin1950 - 1999
- Fruit colourRed striped
Similar varieties
James GrieveJames Grieve is the classic Scottish dual-purpose apple. It can be eaten fresh, and is also excellent for juicing and cooking.
Prince WilliamAnother bittersweet developed at Long Ashton, but Prince William is a cross between Michelin and James Grieve.
British-grown trees 
Unlike many garden centres and online retailers, the vast majority of our fruit trees are grown in the UK.
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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.
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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.
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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.
