Cider Apple Kingston Black One of the few apples that can be used for a single-varietal cider, Malus domestica Kingston Black was bred in Kingston, Somerset in the 19th century. The fruit is comparatively small, almost completely flushed a very deep maroon-red; it produces an aromatic, well-balanced, bitter-sharp juice with a lovely, distinctive flavour. The tree is a light, not always reliable, cropper, slow to come into bearing, and can be susceptible to scab and canker, but is nevertheless popular with cider-makers for its exceptionally high-quality juice. A spur-bearer, cider apple Kingston Black is good for pollinators. Site: ShelteredSoil: Any well drained soil, preferably deep and fertilePosition: Full sunPick: Early NovemberKeep: Usually pressed when pickedHardiness: Very hardyPollination: Self-sterile; Pollination Group 3-4Uses: Cider Learn more about fruit tree rootstocks During the bareroot season, our apples are pre pruned before being dispatched by mail order.