Heirloom Apples/Cider Apples We can’t bring back the good old days, but in apples we can go one better! You now have access to the time proven varieties of Grandpa’s day in a compact, more manageable tree size. The flavours and even the names evoke memories of bygone days when life seemed less complicated. Watch for continued expansion of this section, as we search out and bring back old time favourites as customers request. 1-2m (3-6') bareroot trees
Photo by Whiffletree Nursery

Apple : BLACK OXFORD Large Semi-Dwarf (B118) (Orchard Grade)

$35.95

In stock

An 'orchard grade' is a tree that may be somewhat shorter, slightly crooked, or a bit scratched, or for some other reason is not a perfect front lawn specimen. These trees will work just as well in an orchard as a first or number one would, since they still produce the very same fruit.

A rare heirloom apple which is making a real comeback, it was discovered around 1790 on a farm in Oxford County, Maine. Records exist that indicate the original tree was still producing in 1907! Mid-sized deep purple fruit has a glossy black sheen when fully ripe. A great all purpose variety but truly superb for drying or cider. Long storage enhances this apple's sweetness, with peak flavour for the best eating by late winter. Black Oxford is somewhat slow to start bearing and like many older varieties it has a tendency toward biennial (every other year) bearing. It shows both insect and disease resistance.

NEEDS A POLLENIZER | ZONE 4 | HARVEST: LATE OCT.

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Zone
Harvest
Rootstocks
G41 Dwarf
(2.5-3.1m/8-10ft)
G935 Small Semi-Dwarf
(3.25-4m/10-13ft)
G969 Small Semi-Dwarf
(3.25-4m/10-14ft)
G30 Semi-Dwarf
(3.6-5m/12-16ft)
G890 Semi-Dwarf
(3.6-5m/13-16ft)
Pollenator definitions
Some trees and many berry plants are SELF-FERTILE ̶means the insect pollinators or even the wind can pollinate the blossoms without the need of a second tree.
NEEDS A POLLENIZER ̶ means another tree of the same type or kind but a different variety must be blooming nearby at the same time.
EXAMPLE A Liberty apple and a Wealthy apple can cross-pollinate. Two trees of the same variety ie: ̶ 2 Wealthy apples, cannot cross pollinate because they are genetically identical.
Other trees are marked as SEMI-FERTILE. These will set fruit without a second tree. However they will often bear more, and sometimes larger fruit if another variety of the same kind of tree is nearby.
You can select 2 different trees of the same kind marked as NEEDS A POLLENIZER or plant one of those along with one SELF-FERTILE or one SEMI-FERTILE. Also consider ripening times ̶ a Goldrush apple might not start blooming before a Pristine is finished.

Other products in this zone

Growing Tips

Apple Growing Tip

Besides selecting the most disease resistant varieties, there are
a few simple things to do to have better apples.

  • Fertilize under the outer edges of your trees. There are no feeder roots next to the trunk. A well fed tree stays healthier. (Adequate calcium in the soil also helps so that apples keep longer.)
  • Pick up fallen fruit and compost, dispose of, or feed to livestock (where possible).
  • Rake up leaves in the fall and compost them away from the orchard.
  • Prune trees to encourage light and air to reach the inside of the tree.
  • Provide bird nesting sites near your orchard. A variety of orchard companion type plants will attract native pollinator insects and also encourage birds to come and eat insect pests.

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