Catshead

An ancient apple with an unusual shape from which its name is derived.

Origin: England UK, 1629

Pollination: Catshead is a self-sterile triploid and would require a pollinator to produce a crop.Find pollination partners >

British-grown All our bare-root trees are personally hand-grafted by our Nursery Manager and grown on at our nursery in Kent. We have Defra and Plant Healthy certification. More ...

Catshead apple trees produced to order

Closing date for custom graft orders: 14 Jul 2025

We do not stock this variety, but we can produce custom-graft trees for you. Trees can be grafted on any of the following rootstocks:

Form	Rootstock	Price
Maiden	M9Dwarfing	£39.00
Maiden	M26Semi-dwarfing	£39.00
Maiden	MM106Semi-vigorous	£39.00
Maiden	MM111Vigorous	£39.00
Maiden	M25Very vigorous	£39.00

Custom graft trees would be supplied in December 2026. More details of our custom grafting service here.

History and description of Catshead

An old English variety, the earliest reference to which dates from 1629. The name comes from the unusual shape of the fruit, which in profile resembles a cat's head. Grown in 18th and 19th Century England. Large, oblong-conical, irregular shaped fruit. Pale greenish yellow skin with russet dots. White, soft, juicy flesh. Cooks to a sharp, firm puree.

Characteristics of Catshead apple trees

Use	Culinary
Colour	Green
Flavour	Sharp
Fruit size	Large
Picking time	Early Oct
Season of use	Oct-Jan
Tree vigour	Moderate
Tree habit	Spreading
Fruit-bearing	Spur-bearer
Cropping	Good
Disease resistance	Scab - Resistant
Pollination date	11
Pollination group	C
Self-fertility	Self-sterile triploid
Pollinators	Pollination partners
Progeny	Lord Derby