Position
- Full sun is ideal for the best fruit flavour and ripening
- Choose a sheltered position away from strong winds to protect blossoms in spring
- Suitable for south- or west-facing spots in the garden
Hardiness
- Hardy down to -20°C (-4°F), tolerating most UK winters
- Protect emerging blossoms in late spring from unexpected frosts
Soil Type
- Grows best in moist, well-draining, fertile soil
- Sandy or loamy soils work well, but avoid waterlogged areas
Soil PH
- Thrives in neutral to slightly acidic soils (pH 6.5–7.0)
- Mildly alkaline soils are also acceptable with proper fertiliser use to maintain nutrition
- Grab a soil test kit and ensure the perfect conditions for growth
Height
- Typically reaches 4–6 metres (13–20 feet) when grown on semi-vigorous rootstocks like MM106
- Smaller sizes, such as 3–4 metres (10–13 feet), achievable on dwarfing rootstocks like M26 or M9
Seasons of Interest
- Spring (April-May): Delicate pink-tinged white blossoms attract pollinators, enhancing the aesthetics of your garden
- Summer (June-August): Glossy green foliage provides structure and shade
- Autumn (September-October): Distinctive russet-skinned apples fully ripen with creamy-yellow flesh and a nutty flavour
- Autumn Colour: Modest golden-yellow foliage adds seasonal charm before shedding
- Winter: Bare branches provide structural interest, showcasing the unique shape of the tree
Additional Notes
- Pollination: Partially self-fertile, but planting with other pollination group 2 or nearby group 1 and 3 apples enhances yields
- Pruning: Prune annually in winter to shape and encourage air circulation; summer prune in August to promote fruit ripening
- Thinning Fruits: Thin young fruits in early summer to prevent overcrowding and improve size.
- Rootstock Choice: For gardens, use M9 or M26 for a compact tree or MM106 for a medium-sized tree
- Watering: Ensure consistent watering during dry periods, especially for newly planted trees
- Feeding: Apply balanced fertiliser in spring and mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Storage: Fruits store well for up to two months in cool, dark conditions
- Pests/Diseases: Keep an eye out for apple scab, canker, and codling moth; good care minimises risks
- Uses: Versatile for fresh eating or baking and an excellent addition to home orchards
Egremont Russet Apple: Everything You Need to Know
Egremont Russet is a much-loved heritage apple variety, prized for its unique appearance and rich, nutty flavour. Its characteristic golden-brown, russeted skin and firm, dry flesh offer a sensory experience that differentiates it from the more polished apples in modern supermarkets. First recorded in 1872, this classic British dessert apple continues to captivate gardeners, heritage orchard enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a more traditional, flavour-forward fruit. If you’re considering adding a russet variety to your garden, this in-depth guide will walk you through everything you need to know to grow, care for, and enjoy the Egremont Russet apple tree.
What is the Egremont Russet Apple?
The Egremont Russet is a traditional English apple cultivar, best known for its rough-textured, tan-coloured skin and sweet, aromatic flavour with a distinct nutty undertone. Unlike many glossy commercial apples, Egremont Russet has an understated beauty and a more complex taste profile, making it a favourite for those who appreciate flavour over shine. This mid-season dessert apple is perfect for eating fresh, pairing beautifully with cheeses, or slicing into crisp autumn salads.
Why Choose a Russet Apple Tree for Your Garden?
Planting an Egremont Russet apple tree brings character and depth to your fruit garden. These trees produce medium-sized apples with exceptional flavour and texture rarely matched by modern supermarket varieties. Growing your own allows you to enjoy apples free from wax coatings, storage chemicals, or bland uniformity. Whether planting a traditional orchard or adding structure to a cottage-style garden, a russet apple tree delivers charm, heritage, and excellent eating quality straight from the tree.
How to Grow an Egremont Russet Apple Tree
Growing an Egremont Russet is straightforward if you provide the right conditions. These trees perform best in fertile, well-drained soil with good moisture retention and a sunny, sheltered position. They’re commonly grafted onto semi-dwarfing or dwarfing rootstocks—such as M26 or MM106—which control size and suit various garden layouts. For small gardens or patio growing, look for trained forms like cordons or minarettes, which offer abundant harvests without taking up much space.
Key growing tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun is ideal for good fruit colour and flavour development.
- Soil: Loamy, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter is best.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist during establishment and dry spells.
- Feeding: Apply an organic fertiliser like fish, blood, and bone in early spring.
What Pollination Group is Egremont Russet?
Egremont Russet belongs to pollination group 2, which means it will fruit more reliably when planted near another apple variety from group 2 or adjacent groups (1 or 3). It is partially self-fertile but benefits from a pollination partner to ensure a consistent crop. Suitable companions include Cox’s Orange Pippin, Discovery, and James Grieve. If you’re unsure which varieties are compatible, take a look at my Apple Pollination Guide for complete details.
Pruning Tips: When and How to Prune Egremont Russet
Proper pruning improves fruit quality, airflow, and the overall health of your tree. Prune your Egremont Russet in late winter while the tree is dormant to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches and shape the tree. Summer pruning can also be used—particularly for trained trees like cordons—to restrict height, control vigour, and direct energy into fruit production.
Pruning benefits include:
- Improved sunlight penetration and airflow
- Reduced risk of fungal diseases
- Stronger branches to support fruit weight
- Better fruit size and quality
Harvesting and Storing Egremont Russet Apples
Egremont Russet apples typically ripen in early to mid-autumn, usually around late September to early October in most parts of the UK. You’ll know they’re ready when the fruit detaches easily from the tree with a gentle twist and has developed its characteristic colour and scent.
Once harvested:
- Storage: Keep apples in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place.
- Shelf Life: Stored properly, Egremont Russets will keep for 4–6 weeks.
- Flavour: The taste deepens over time in storage, becoming even richer and more aromatic.
What Do Egremont Russet Apples Taste Like?
Egremont Russet apples are revered for their complex flavour. They offer a sweet, nutty taste with subtle hints of pear and hazelnut, combined with a firm, dry texture that is satisfyingly crisp. This makes them a perfect choice for fresh eating, particularly for those who find supermarket apples too sugary or watery. They’re also excellent when sliced thinly for salads, paired with cheese boards, or enjoyed as a mid-morning snack.
Is Egremont Russet Available in Supermarkets?
While some UK supermarkets stock Egremont Russet apples in season, availability is often limited due to their shorter shelf life and rustic appearance. Despite being superior in flavour, they don’t conform to the high-gloss, uniform aesthetic that retailers favour. You can enjoy this incredible variety in its freshest form and on your schedule by growing your own. Local farmers’ markets and heritage orchards may also offer fresh Egremont Russets during autumn.
The History Behind Egremont Russet
First recorded in 1872, Egremont Russet is believed to have been introduced by the Earl of Egremont at Petworth House in Sussex. It quickly gained popularity among Victorian gardeners and remains a firm favourite today thanks to its reliable cropping, distinctive flavour, and resistance to bruising. It has since earned the RHS Award of Garden Merit, confirming its value as a garden-worthy fruit tree.
Where to Buy Egremont Russet Apple Trees
When purchasing an Egremont Russet apple tree, always choose a reputable UK nursery or garden centre specialising in fruit trees. Look for healthy, disease-free stock, whether bare-root (available from late autumn to early spring) or container-grown (available year-round).
Consider the following rootstocks depending on your space:
- M26: For smaller gardens or patio containers
- MM106: Ideal for medium-sized gardens and trained forms
- M25: Best for traditional orchards and open spaces
From Darren’s Patch
I’ve always had a soft spot for the Egremont Russet. There’s something deeply satisfying about its old-fashioned, nutty sweetness and the distinctive russeted skin—it feels like a proper apple, not one of those overly glossy supermarket clones. In my garden, it’s one of the varieties I look forward to each autumn. The tree isn’t fussy, just a bit of sun and good soil, and it rewards you with firm, flavour-rich fruit that stores surprisingly well. I love slicing one up with a chunk of mature cheddar or adding it to a salad with walnuts and blue cheese. If you’re thinking about growing a fruit tree and want something with real character, the Egremont Russet won’t disappoint—it’s an honest, flavour-first apple that truly earns its place in any garden.
Key Points to Remember:
- The Egremont Russet apple is a unique, heritage British variety with a nutty flavour and rough-textured skin
- This dessert apple is perfect for eating fresh, adding to salads, or storing for a short period
- The russet apple tree thrives in well-drained soil and sunny conditions
- It belongs to pollination group 2 and benefits from a nearby apple tree for good fruit production
- Pruning is essential to maintain a healthy and productive tree
- Buy trees from reputable nurseries or garden centres to ensure quality
- Harvest in early autumn and store in a cool, dark place for maximum freshness
- While available in some supermarkets, home-growing ensures the best flavour and freshness
Apple ‘Egremont Russet’ is a classic British variety known for its nutty, creamy flavour and distinctive russet skin. This partially self-fertile apple tree thrives in sunny, sheltered positions with well-draining soil. Spring blossoms, autumn fruit, and modest autumn leaf colour add interest year-round, making it a delightful choice for gardens or small orchards. If you’re an apple lover looking for a fruit that dares to be different, the Egremont Russet is worth trying!
To see the RHS article, please click here.
Want to learn about other apple varieties? Read about Apple Discovery here.
For more information on Fruit for your garden, please click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s so special about the Egremont Russet Apple Tree?
A: The Egremont Russet is a unique variety of Malus domestica, known for its nutty flavour and rough, russeted skin. It is popular for those who love dessert apples and want something different from the usual varieties.
Q: How do I know if I should buy an Egremont Russet Apple Tree?
A: If you want to grow a tree in your garden that produces delicious apples for eating fresh or using in desserts, the Egremont Russet is a fantastic choice! It’s also a great addition to any fruit tree collection.
Q: Where can I buy fresh fruit from Egremont Russet Apple Trees?
A: You can find fresh russet apples at local farmers’ markets or specialist greengrocers, especially during apple season. Some garden centres also stock them, and you may find them for sale online from specialist fruit suppliers.
Q: Where can I buy an Egremont Russet Apple Tree?
A: Egremont Russet apple trees are available at many garden centres and online nurseries. Buying from a reputable supplier ensures you get a healthy tree that will thrive in your garden.
Q: What is the best way to grow an Egremont Russet Apple Tree?
A: Apple growing requires patience! Plant your tree in well-drained soil and give it plenty of sunlight. Regular pruning and feeding will help keep your tree healthy and productive.
Q: Do I need another tree for pollination?
A: Yes! The Egremont Russet belongs to pollination group 2, meaning it needs a compatible apple tree nearby to ensure a good fruit set. You should consider planting a different apple variety close by for the best results.
Q: What types of apples can I expect from an Egremont Russet Apple Tree?
A: It produces a distinctive type of apple that is perfect for eating fresh or using in desserts. The tasting notes highlight nutty flavours, making them a delightful alternative to the apples commonly found in supermarkets.
Q: How old should a tree be before it starts producing fruit?
A: Typically, a 2-year-old Egremont Russet tree can start producing apples, but don’t be surprised if it takes a couple more years to reach full productivity. Patience is key with these heritage apple varieties!
Q: Are there any common pests I should know about with my russet tree?
A: Like any fruit tree, your Egremont Russet can be susceptible to pests such as aphids and codling moths. Regular checks and organic treatments will help keep your tree healthy and thriving.
Q: Can I grow Egremont Russet apples in Sussex?
A: Absolutely! The climate in Sussex is generally well-suited for growing russet apples. Could you provide your tree with reasonable care, including regular feeding and pruning, to help it flourish in your garden?