Pitmaston Pineapple Apple Trees

Pitmaston Pineapple Apple

Pitmaston Pineapple - sometimes called Radcliffes NonPareil for reasons which are long lost is an exceptional apple that really does live up to its name. It has a powerful nutty flavour, honey sweet yet also sharp and with a distinct hint of pineapple - they are a warm yellow colour too.

Pitmaston Pineapples are very small, about 5cms across, and the trees tend to crop biennially laden with fruit in alternate years. This, combined with their size means that they are rarely grown commercially, so they make an outstanding addition to any apple orchard. You will also be very popular at harvest time as your friends won't be able to get their hands on them anywhere else! Whilst they are not really a cooking apple, their flavour is so special that you should experiment with them in pies and other desserts. The trees have an upright habit and are fairly vigorous, their flowers are also large and well structured. They do need regular thinning, a chore you will be happy to do when you taste the reward. They are a notably scab resistant breed.

The first Pitmaston Pineapple apple tree was bred in the 1780's by a Mr White, an employee of Lord Foley of Witley, who sold the breed to a nursery called Williams of Pitmaston. One parent was almost certainly the Golden Pippin. The fruit are ready to eat in mid-October

Pollination Partners for Pitmaston Pineapple

You can't go wrong with a crab apple, the Red-Berried variety is great choice as is also very pretty. Otherwise, the Pitmaston is a mid-season variety and can be pollinated by any of the fertile Trees- in the Apple Tree Pollination guide, though another mid-season variety is the best choice if you only have two Trees.

Pitmaston Pineapple Rootstocks

MM106 rootstocks give you the freedom to train your tree as you like or let it grow to a manageable 4 metres in height. They are also more drought resistant than most other rootstocks.

If you are unclear about fruit tree sizes take a look at our Guide to Fruit Tree Sizing

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