Cider apple trees for North East (Hull)

[DuncanM]

I have a probable small project going on in Hull, and I'd like to grow apples for cider making. Are there any varieties suitable for the climate and chalky soil? I realise a lot of cider trees have their roots (couldn't resist!) in the South West.

I'd be looking at 20-40 trees I reckon, planted from 1 year whips.

[orangepippin]

There is not a significant difference in climate between the south-west and Hull. In fact if anything you probably have a slightly easier climate, being east of the Pennines. It would be a good idea to try to improve the soil in advance of planting though, perhaps you can get a local farmer to spread some farmyard manure etc.

[DuncanM]

Thanks for the response op. I was assuming the temperature difference would have been a problem but thanks for the update!

In which case I can start planning which types of cider trees to go for.

I'd also like to include a small amount of eating apples, with preference for non-russet, crisp apples - what could you recommend?

Unfortunately I may have to resort to spraying - at least in the first few years, there are a number of very large apple trees within the vicinity (about 40-50metres away) that look incredibly ill. I'll take photos when I can but one tree had these very strange almost pupae like pods underneath each and every leaf. There must have been 10-30 per leaf, and they weren't soft, and didn't crush between my fingers as hard as I could squeeze them (i was expecting it to be some sort of insect) but given the hardness it felt more like tree bark than some insect. Any ideas?

[northepaul]

Adams apples Apple Trees, Fruit Trees For Sale, Apple Tree Fruit Tree do a cider tree selection for 10 trees at £80 and the more you order, the more discount you get.

I have one of their pear trees, and have to say its very healthy and good value....

[orangepippin]

It sounds like it might be some kind of "scale" infestation, they are immobile parasites which almost seem like part of the tree. Big old trees infested with every disease going are always a hazard when planting new trees.

Are you intending to grow the eating apples for cider too, or just for eating?

[DuncanM]

If it helps I'll be chopping down the infested trees before planting and not planting in exactly the same spot (like I said 40-50 metres away). So I hope that helps.

The eating apples will primarily be for eating, maybe 5 or so trees, but I wouldn't be adverse to throwing the odd eating apple into the cider. Again I'm after taste primarily, any use in cider would be purely a bonus.

[ancee]

There's a thread on here called 'Hello from cidermaker' he's newish to the site and is a cider maker!! Perhaps you could pick his brains? Looks like I'm doing a bit of matchmaking!

[orangepippin]

Crisp eating apples which should be good in East Yorkshire ... Rubinette (not easy but you did say primarily taste), Red Falstaff, Chivers Delight, Meridian. Kidd's Orange Red is also a possibility although Yorkshire is probably the northern end of its range.