Morgan Sweet Apple Trees

Malus Domestica Sweet Morgan

Sweet Morgan is an unusual cider apple tree because its apples are large and almost golden, quite quince-like from a distance, and they ARE sweet. The tree matures quickly and crops prolifically. It is vigorous with strong, upright branches. However, it is triploid so cannot fertilise itself or others.

Browse our range of apple trees or see the full variety of fruit trees.

Swing Low, Sweet Morgan

Low in both tannins and acidity, hence its sweetness, these are brilliant for blending with other cider apple juices to sweeten and lighten them for the more modern palate. Its triploid nature means that you will need to plant other pollinating trees for it. Crab apple trees will do the job, but you are halfway to making cider, so why not invest in some co-conspirators for a wonderful 21st century cider. At a basic minimum you will need a bittersharp variety like the wonderfully named Foxwhelp which has the merit of being a pollinator for Sweet Morgan and cropping at the same time. 

Have a look at our quick guide if you are new to brewing cider at home.

Features

• Height: to 4.5m
• Use: Cider
• Pruning: Spur bearer
• Pollination: Sterile
• Picking: Oct-Nov
• Apple colour: Green
• Pollination Group: Group B

Did You Know?

No one is quite sure of Sweet Morgan's parentage. Best guesstimates plump for it being a very old Somerset variety - almost certainly over three hundred years old - a measure of its popularity and its indispensability in making cider to this day. Or put it another way - you don't get to be that old without being very good indeed.

Clear and weed a circle at least 1m in diameter (and keep it weeded after planting).

Make a square hole that is comfortably wider than your Morgan Sweet's roots but only 5 cm deeper. The hole should be at least 30cms from any wall.

Bang in a tree stake off centre and to the south west if the tree is free standing.

Soak the roots in water for at least an hour.

Mound a little soil in the bottom of the hole and settle the tree roots on it until the soil mark on the trunk is at the same level as the surrounding soil and/or the grafting scion is at least 5cms above soil level. Remove the tree, sprinkle Rootgrow in the hole, wet the roots again to ensure good contact with the Rootgrow and return to the hole.

Backfill slowly, treading down gently as you go. Use a tree tie to attach your tree to the stake if freestanding.

Fit a treeguard. Water in with about 2 gallons/9 litres of water. Mulch the whole area. Water again the next day and then weekly afterwards through the first summer.