Semi Dwarf Apple Tree – ‘Elstar’

Fruit Type: Apple
Botanical Name: Malus domestica ‘Elstar’
Fruit Colour: Yellow-green with bright red flush and striping
Growth Habit: Semi dwarf deciduous fruit tree grafted onto slow-growing rootstock
Final Height: Approx. 2–3 m
Expected Yield: Approx. 20–40 kg per season once mature
Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Fertile, well-drained soil
Pollination: Not reliably self-fertile; compatible pollinators include Cox’s Orange Pippin, James Grieve, Golden Delicious, or Jonathan
Hardiness: Hardy to approx. −25°C; blossoms may be sensitive to late spring frost

‘Elstar’ is a Dutch apple variety developed in the 1950s from a cross between ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Ingrid Marie’. It is widely grown across Europe and valued for its crisp texture, balanced flavour, and dependable productivity in home gardens.

This variety produces medium-sized apples with a yellow-green base colour overlaid by bright red flushes and striping. The flesh is crisp, juicy, and aromatic with a well-balanced sweet-tart flavour and subtle honeyed notes. The fruit is well suited to fresh eating, salads, baking, and desserts.

Harvest typically takes place from early to mid-September depending on seasonal warmth and local growing conditions. Under suitable storage conditions the apples can be kept for several weeks.

This apple grows as a semi dwarf fruit tree, remaining more manageable than traditional orchard apples while still producing generous harvests. The controlled size is achieved through grafting onto a slow-growing rootstock, a technique widely used in professional orchards to regulate tree height and support reliable fruit production.

In spring the tree produces attractive blossoms ranging from pink buds to white flowers that attract bees and other pollinators, supporting fruit set and adding ornamental interest to the garden.

Apples thrive in sunny positions with fertile, well-drained soil. A warm, open location supports healthy flowering and proper fruit development.

We select our fruit trees with winter hardiness in mind, ensuring suitability for reliable outdoor cultivation in our climate.

With proper care and placement, ‘Elstar’ becomes a productive and dependable fruit tree, rewarding gardeners with aromatic apples widely appreciated for their balanced flavour and crisp texture.

All trees are sold and delivered as 1–2 year old trees, similar to those supplied to commercial orchards, in jute bags filled with rich Dutch soil, depending on availability and variety.