Recommend a fruit tree

send_to_alan

Basically need a fruit tree for a north facing driveway.  Tree will be 6m or so away from the house, based in London, so clay as usual.  The soil area will be about 1m*1m*1m triangle and go to maybe 60cm with actual soil before the clay
Requirements
1. Self-fertile fruit tree
2. Have a clear single stem of about 1.8 to 2m
3. A final growth height not exceeding 5-6m max
4. Nice to look good and have a canopy that can grow like an umbrella

Thanks for any suggestions

K67

Have a look at https://www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/  

send_to_alan

Thanks, looks like nothing in stock!

K67

I noticed that but at least you can filter down to a few choices and then search online suppliers or maybe you can order from your local garden centre?

Billie65

I have an orchard with over 20 fruit trees and have found that most varieties can be kept to the desired height. Discovery apples are early fruiting so may get chance to ripen in a North facing position. Victoria plum can also be managed well in terms of height and the fruits are delicious. I can't really advise on the the success in a North facing position.

BobTheGardener

I have several trees too and the one out of those I'd recommend is 'Red Falstaff', which is self-pollinatiing with the blossom being capable of resisting late frosts better than most older varieties, as well as coping with colder conditions.  It's a real 'good doer' here.  The only issue is it usually sets too many fruit, so they must be thinned or it will damage itself under the weight.

bertrand-mabel

Agree with @BobTheGardener about Falstaff. A great producer and a great eating apple. Katya is a great early apple and then Spartan for later.

send_to_alan

Wow, was bogged down working and what amazing replies, thanks everyone!
What rootstock is best for this? We do get sun in the am up to afternoon and a bit of evening sun via gap between houses!
Also can I buy like a small tree and train it to grow with a straight stem and then let it have a canopy?

BobTheGardener

Even with the most vigorous rootstocks like M25, an apple tree will take decades to reach 5m, but I'd probably go for a semi-vigorous one like M26.  The final shape will be down to the pruning and the way you do that in the first few years is important.  This link should help:

https://www.quickcrop.co.uk/blog/introduction-pruning-apple-trees/

Chris Bowers site has some useful information:

https://www.chrisbowers.co.uk/guides/apple-trees.php

as does Orangepippin:

https://www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/articles/planting-and-growing/pruning-a-newly-planted-fruit-tree

Some of these specialist nurseries will be happy to discuss it with you.

send_to_alan

Thanks a lot for all these useful resources!

spf1

I have Red Falstaff grown as a cordon apple on a dwarf rooting stock. Seems to have better alternative fruiting years which does not matter as my second cordon tree a russet steps up to the mark in these lean years. If Alan's plot being north facing and thus in shade, suggest a Morello cherry which is self fertile and being sour (fruits for cooking) tend not to attacked by birds does not mind a shady spot.