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

Francis 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 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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