Bulmer's Norman is a large, spreading tree, precocious and productive, that blooms late and tends to biennialism. It is susceptible to scab, but very cold hardy and has come through -40 with no damage. As a triploid, it cannot pollinate other trees, and two other diploid varieties should be present for full pollenization. This apple is used exclusively for cider; it is not suitable for fresh eating.

The mid-season apple is large and conical, a pale green with a slight red blush. It yields a golden, sweet, astringent juice that is quick to ferment, producing a bittersweet cider. Eve's Cidery writes: "Tannins are hard and can be bitter, and the fruit drops all at once, bruises easily, and doesn't hold well. Can make a solid tannic blending apple." (From WSU: Tannin (percent tannic acid): 0.20; Acid (percent malic acid): 0.22; pH: 4.09; SG: 1.046; Brix 11.3.)

Bulmer's Norman was introduced in England (probably from Normandy, as the name suggests) by the famous cider-making company, H. P. Bulmer in the early 1900s.