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Simple bare root fruit trees and ornamental trees

Michelin

Malus domestica
Michelin apples
Michelin is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators

Michelin is a traditional French cider apple variety producing a bittersweet juice.

Cider apple varieties tend to remain in use primarily in their area of origin but Michelin was imported to England in the 19th century and as a result has become popular in English-speaking cider regions as well.

Michelin cider apple trees for sale

  • RF11-year bare-root tree on M116 rootstock£34.95
    Mature height: 2m-3.5m after 10 years
    Can be grown on as a large free-standing apple tree, a small half-standard apple tree, or a large apple fan or espalier.
    Available next season
  • RF22-year bare-root tree on M116 rootstock£43.00
    Mature height: 2m-3.5m after 10 years
    Can be grown on as a large free-standing apple tree.
    Available next season
  • RF31-year bare-root tree on MM106 rootstock£34.95
    Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
    Can be trained on as a large free-standing apple tree, a half-standard apple tree, a large apple fan or espalier, or a pleached apple tree.
    Available next season
  • RF41-year bare-root tree on MM111 rootstock£35.75
    Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
    Can be trained on as a large free-standing apple tree, a half-standard apple tree, a large apple fan or espalier, or a pleached apple tree.
    Available next season
  • RF52-year bare-root tree on MM111 rootstock£43.00
    Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
    Can be trained on as a large free-standing traditional apple tree.
    Available next season
  • RF61-year bare-root tree on M25 rootstock£35.75
    Mature height: 5m-7m after 10 years
    Can be trained on to produce a big 'standard' free-standing apple tree in a traditional apple orchard.
    Available next season

Growing and Training

A reliable annual cropper, easy to grow. It is usually considered self-sterile but in practice seems to be partially self-fertile.


Recommended pollinators for Michelin cider apple trees

Michelin is partially self-fertile, so you do not need another variety to pollinate it to produce fruit. However you will get a better crop if you plant any of the following pollinator varieties nearby. If you are not sure about pollination requirements don't hesitate to ask us. More pollinators >

  • Pollinator Bloody Ploughman
    Bloody Ploughman
    An old Scottish apple variety, named for the crimson-red colour of its skin and stained flesh.
  • Pollinator Brown's Apple
    Brown's Apple
    Brown's Apple is a traditional English cider apple variety producing a sharp juice.
  • Pollinator Comtesse de Paris
    Comtesse de Paris
    Comtesse de Paris can be considered as an improved Golden Hornet. It features the same white blossom and persistent yellow fruitlets, but grows with a better form.
  • Pollinator Golden Delicious
    Golden Delicious
    The flavour of home-grown Golden Delicious is far better than its supermarket reputation.
  • Pollinator Golden Hornet
    Golden Hornet
    Malus Golden Hornet is a traditional white blossom crab apple, with persistent yellow fruits.
  • Pollinator Honeycrisp
    Honeycrisp
    Honeycrisp is an American cold-hardy disease-resistant apple - it shows just how good modern apples have become.
  • Pollinator Howgate Wonder
    Howgate Wonder
    Howgate Wonder is a large cooking apple which keeps well. Produces an excellent sharp juice.
  • Pollinator 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.

History

Normandy, France - 18th century.


Michelin characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Fruit persistenceFruit drops when ripe
  • Self-fertile?Partially self-fertile
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • Pick seasonLate
  • Picking monthNovember
  • Picking periodearly November
  • Keeping2-3 weeks
  • Food usesHard cider
  • Country of originFrance
  • Period of origin1750 - 1799
  • Fruit colourGreen - light

You might also like these varieties

  • See also Dabinett
    Dabinett
    Dabinett is a traditional English cider apple variety, producing a bittersweet juice.
  • See also Kingston Black
    Kingston Black
    Kingston Black is one of the premier English cider varieties and produces a bittersharp juice.
  • See also Michelin
    Michelin
    Michelin is a traditional French cider apple variety producing a bittersweet juice.
  • See also Yarlington Mill
    Yarlington Mill
    Yarlington Mill is a traditional English cider apple variety producing a bittersweet juice.

More about cider apple trees

In the west of England, and across the Channel in north-west France, there is a long tradition of brewing cider using dedicated apple varieties. These apples are usually full of tannins, which makes them too astringent for eating fresh ... but it is these unpaltable tannins which give the 'body' which is so essential in traditional cider.

If you are serious about making your own cider then you'll probably need quite a few cider trees. As a rule of thumb, you'll need about 2kg-3kg of apples to produce 1 litre of apple juice. A big old traditional cider apple tree might produce 80kg - 160kg of apples, while a more manageable semi-vigorous tree might give you up to 50kg of apples.


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