Major Apple on G.11 (Spring 2026)
A traditional English cider apple, bittersweet and vintage.
This is a vigorous, attractive tree with a strong central-leader habit and a rounded crown. It is moderately susceptible to scab and black rot, and it tends to biennialism. This apple is used exclusively for hard cider; it is not suitable for fresh eating.
Major is a bittersweet, vintage-quality (suitable for a single-variety cider) cider apple. It is smallish with glossy rosy-red stripes and splashes over a greenish yellow background. Ripening early September in upstate NY, it tends to drop, and does not store well on account of the softness of its flesh. The fruit yields an aromatic, amber juice that has a long, tannic finish. (From WSU: Tannin (percent tannic acid): 0.21; Acid (percent malic acid): 0.20; pH: 4.23; SG: 1.051; oBrix 12.9.)
Major originated in Somerset, England, where it was particularly valued for providing an early start to the brewing season.
The Fruit
Fruit Type
Category: Apple
Subcategory:
Cider, Cold-Hardy
Fruit Uses & Storage
Uses: cider
Cider classification: bittersweet
Storage duration: less than one month (approximate, depending on storage conditions)
Fruit Appearance
Skin color: red
Flesh color: off-white
Fruit Origins
Parentage: unknown
Origin: Somerset, England
Introduced in: 1880s
Introduced by:
The Environment
Calendar & Geography
USDA zones: 4 - 6
Chill hours: Not yet determined
Ripening date: Sep 01 (approximate, in New York State) 14 days before McIntosh
Tree Height & Spacing
glossary
Rootstock: G.11 Rootstock
Rootstock size class: Dwarf (25% of Standard)
Tree spacing (natural spread of tree): 8'
Good for wildlife planting? N
Diseases & Pests
glossary
Apple Scab: Susceptible
Black Rot or Blossom End Rot or Frogeye Leaf Spot: Susceptible
Pollination
Pollination Factors
glossary
Bloom group: 3
Is it self-fertile? N
Is it fertile? Y
Ploidy: Diploid
Rootstock size class:
Dwarf (25% of Standard)
Pollination Partners
This table shows the first few results from a full search for pollenizers of Major Apple on G.11. Please see our Pollenizer Search to run other queries and read how the application uses various factors. Also read more about fruit tree pollination.
| Tree | Currently in Stock |
|---|---|
| Blondee™ Apple on G.214 | 233 |
| Enterprise Apple on G.214 | 225 |
| Pixie Crunch™ Apple on G.11 | 178 |
| Newtown Pippin Apple on G.41 | 156 |
| Sansa Apple on G.11 | 143 |
| CrimsonCrisp™ Apple on G.214 | 141 |
| Golden Russet Apple on G.214 | 141 |
| Williams' Pride Apple on G.11 | 135 |
| Porter's Perfection Apple on G.41 | 126 |
| Sweet Sixteen Apple on G.41 | 118 |
| Virginia Crab Apple on G.214 | 117 |