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Francis

A small, sweet, lightly aromatic apple similar to Laxton's Superb.

Origin: Essex UK, 1925

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

British-grown UK flag 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 ...

We are now closed for the season. Ordering for winter 2026/27 will be enabled from Friday 1st May 2026.

History and description of Francis

Raised in Essex by F W Thorrington from a Cox's Orange Pippin seedling. Received by the National Fruit Collection, UK in 1925. Small fruit, flushed skin with some russetting. Slightly dry, firm, cream flesh, sweet and lightly aromatic. Similar to Laxton’s Superb . Heavy cropper

Characteristics of Francis apple trees

UseDessert
ColourFlushed
FlavourSweet
Fruit sizeSmall
Picking timeMid Oct
Season of useNov-Dec
Tree vigourModerate
Tree habitUpright-spreading
Fruit-bearingSpur-bearer
CroppingHeavy
Pollination date12
Pollination groupD
Self-fertilitySelf-sterile
PollinatorsPollination partners
ParentageCox's Orange Pippin
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