Pre-order now for delivery this winterWe are now accepting orders for planting December 2024 - February 2025.
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Exeter Cross



An early dessert apple with a sharp refreshing flavour.

Origin: Avon UK, 1924

Pollination: Exeter Cross is self-sterile and would require a pollinator to produce a crop.  Pollination partners

British-grown British-grown fruit trees 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. Find out more ...

Exeter Cross 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:

FormRootstockPriceQuantity
MaidenM9Dwarfing £39.00
MaidenM26Semi-dwarfing £39.00
MaidenMM106Semi-vigorous £39.00
MaidenMM111Vigorous £39.00
MaidenM25Very vigorous £39.00

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

History and description of Exeter Cross

Raised in 1924 by G T Spinks at Long Ashton Research Station, Bristol from a Worcester Pearmain X Beauty of Bath. Named in 1954. Early dessert apple that ripens over a very long period.

Small/medium-sized fruit. Flat-round shape, fairly regular. Greenish yellow background skin colour with a scarlet flush. Distinct broad broken stripes over one-half to three-quarters of fruit. Smooth, rather greasy skin. Creamy white flesh, firm, crisp and juicy with a refreshing flavour. Quite astringent when eaten early but becoming crisp, juicy and sweet.

A tree of moderate vigour. Good cropper.

Characteristics of Exeter Cross apple trees

UseDessert
ColourFlushed
FlavourSharp
Fruit sizeMedium
Picking timeAug
Season of useAug
Tree vigourModerate
Tree habitUpright-spreading
Fruit-bearingSpur-bearer
CroppingGood
Disease resistanceScab - Resistant
Pollination date11
Pollination groupC
Self-fertilitySelf-sterile
PollinatorsPollination partners
ParentageBeauty of Bath
Worcester Pearmain
ProgenyRedsleeves
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