Bloody Ploughman

A legendary dark red dessert apple from Scotland with some red flesh.

Origin: Scotland UK, 1883

Pollination: Bloody Ploughman is self-sterile 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 ...

Bloody Ploughman apple trees for sale

1-year maiden trees

These are the most versatile choice for home orchards, community fruit tree projects, and for training on in any form you require.

Form	Rootstock	Price	Quantity
Maiden	M26Semi-dwarfing	£25.00	< 5 in stock
Maiden	MM111Vigorous	£25.00

If you do not see the rootstock you require it is likely we can graft a tree especially for you - click here for more details of our custom-grafting service.

Orders placed now will be delivered in the winter 2025/26 planting season.

History and description of Bloody Ploughman

Arose in Carse of Gowrie, Scotland. First recorded in 1883. There is a colourful story behind the rather strange name. A ploughman was caught stealing apples from the Megginch estate and shot by a gamekeeper. His wife threw the stolen apples on a rubbish heap. One of the seedlings which arose was resued and gave rise to the variety which was named after the unfortunate ploughman.

Medium to large, flat-round, ribbed fruit. Blood red skin. Crisp, juicy flesh becomes stained pink when very ripe. Sweet with a light flavour. Vigorous tree.

Characteristics of Bloody Ploughman apple trees

Use	Dessert
Colour	Red
Flavour	Sweet
Fruit size	Medium
Picking time	Mid Sep
Season of use	Sep-Nov
Tree vigour	Vigorous
Tree habit	Upright-spreading
Fruit-bearing	Spur-bearer
Cropping
Suitable for	Northern Britain
Pollination date	12
Pollination group	D
Self-fertility	Self-sterile
Pollinators	Pollination partners