Cordon or espalier?

Sertolicel

I have a cooking apple tree that isn't earning its place, so was thinking of taking it out and replacing it with either a couple of eaters or plums, and as space is limited was thinking of growing them either cordon or espalier.  I have a spot next to a decent wall to plant them.  I know nothing about growing fruit trees, so would REALLY appreciate any advice re varieties, which method, pitfalls etc - help please!! xxx

pansyface

Here is agood start to thinking about growing cordon apples.

http://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/gardening-advice/fruit-tree-growing-guides/growing-cordon-fruit-trees?ver=3

Espaliers are more complicated to grow and give you less of a chance of planting a variety of different trees in a small space.

Sertolicel

That's really helpful thanks - just want to get it right and have happy trees for many years!!  Any tips on choosing decent eating apple varieties?  Thought Christmas Pippin and Red Windsor sounded nice, but of course I've never grown either! xx

pansyface

Taste is a matter of taste, I'm afraid. I like crisp and tangy, can't stand soft and chewy. If you like Cox's Orange Pippin, you will like Christmas Pippin. I don't know Red Windsor.

Also, quite a lot depends on where you live. Round here we get sneaky late frosts that can ruin all hopes of a crop in one night. Some varieties have flowers that stand up to frost, some don't.

Do you want another cooker or only dessert varieties? Not all cookers cook in the way that you want (as I found to my cost)

Sertolicel

Its just so hard to choose - so many!  We have a huge old cooker at the bottom of the garden that is always is very generous and gives me more apples than I can use, so really looking for desserts.  We are in the Midlands - that part of the garden is relatively sheltered (but of course not frost free).  Got an old crab apple that has been known to get scab, so a more resistant variety is good. xxx

pansyface

Here are some possibilities, based on the chance of a late frost

http://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/gardening-advice/fruit-tree-growing-guides/frost-resistant-flowers-apple-trees

I don't have a thing about Ashridge, I've never used them, but their site is helpful.

Sertolicel

Thanks - their site is really helpful - I feel a bit more clued up now!  Looking forwards to getting some lovely new trees in the garden!  SO looking forwards to the warmer weather - get cabin fever at this time of year, haha! xx