Description
Perhaps the best known, and most widely available fully russeted variety. The fruit are golden russet, richly flavoured, and of medium size. Good cropper, hardy and resistant to scab. Compact growth and suitable for pot culture, but remember it is a spur bearer. The flowers are tolerant of late frosts. Often assumed to have originated from Egremont in Cumbria, but was raised on the estate of Lord Egremont at Petworth in Sussex.
"The russet most likely to be seen on the supermarket shelf, popular in the 1900s, it enjoyed a commercial revival in the 1960s in response to a vogue for russet apples. Its origins are obscure, but probably from Petworth, Sussex, on the estate of Lord Egremont; it was recorded in 1872, by Scott's Of Merriott, Somerset, and specimens presented at the National Apple Congress in 1883, came from Sherborne Castle in Dorset.
A pomologist of our acquaintance makes an annual pilgrimage to Kent to buy Egremont Russet by the box, believing that particular orchard to provide mythically perfect conditions for the development of its unique nutty, smoky flavour, which is further enhanced in store. Nevertheless, it meets with entreaties for more from the Big House here, even when taken in shortly after harvest. It is found frequently in old Yorkshire and other northern orchards, including those of Arnside and Silverdale in Cumbria, known for heavy crops which are due in part no doubt to its frost resistant flowers. It was noted as a free bearer in the 1910 Backhouse catalogue. In Scotland, it does better in the east. Since it is a natural spur bearer, and produces spurs very freely, it is especially recommended for espalier or cordon culture, and in cooler, damper regions this may make all the difference to success." © Lin Hawthorne - 'The Northern Pomona'.
For help with choosing the correct rootstock for your needs, please click here A Guide to Rootstocks
For help with choosing the correct size and shape, please click here A Guide to Fruit Tree Shapes
