Egremont Russet is a well known English russet apple whose origin is uncertain and whose parentage is unknown. It was first mentioned in the literature in 1872. It is the most important commercially grown russet apple in England. Generally considered as hardy, upright grower, relatively resistant to scab, with a nice nutty flavour.

See this link for the entry from the National Fruit Collection in UK, with 2 pictures. (will open in a new window)

GROWER COMMENTS:

We have had two Egremont Russet trees for about 8 years. Last winter grafted over 50 Fuji to Egremont Russet, after consistently good comments at Farmer’s Markets. Our observations are

Colour: 100% russeted rough brown skin, yellowish flesh

Size: tends to be rather small

Eating Quality: rather dry flesh, very nice flavour (nutty, pineapple?)

Disease Issues: unsprayed trees free from scab

Management Issues: somewhat prone to biennial bearing, very short stalks – hard to thin

David Maxwell, Nova Scotia, Zone 5b (Wet Atlantic climate)

And my experience has been slightly different: my Egremont Russet are moderately scab prone on the leaves, but the fruit is generally less affected. But the main issue I have had is a failure to develop any scaffolds until the tree was excessively tall, (I did not cut the leader to force branching, and ended up with, essentially a 6 ft. tall whip before it developed any branches), and then great long willowy branches which break off in the wind. It obviously requires vigourous pruning in its formative years to force a more compact shape. (Incidentally, my Swayzie Russet and Roxbury Russet did the same thing.) All my russets are on O-3 rootstock, which normally gives a moderately dwarf tree.

 Claude Jolicoeur, Quebec, Zone 4

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