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fruit-tree-advice---please

cmn374cmn374 Posts: 3
in Fruit & veg

Hi everyone,

I would like some advice on which fruit trees to choose. 

I am moving house in 2 weeks to one with a garden large enough for to grow fruit.  The garden is SSE facing & quite open; it is near the top of a hill (smallish) in North Yorkshire - therefore fairly exposed & cold.

I would like to grow damsons, as they are so hard to find in the shops, an apple or 2 and possibly another plum.  I would love a pear, but have been advised that 'you grow pears for your heirs'.

I've been looking at dwarfing or semi-dwarfing trees for space reasons & because I have vertigo & going up a ladder for anything other than prize fruit is a no no.

I am no more than an enthusiastic amateur gardener, so anything too fussy is probably beyond my skills.

Any advice/suggestions will be gratefully received.

Thank you

Caroline

Posts

  • SalinoSalino Posts: 1,609

    ...for apples, I advise getting rootstock M9 which is semi-dwarfing keeping the bush at 6-8 foot...they will need permanent staking with wooden stakes and tying in with appropriate tree ties...which shouldn't be too much of a problem..... there is a dwarfer type..M27 but I prefer M9 personally.... self fertile or preferably 2 that will pollinate each other... you can also get 3 types of apple on 1 bush... don't be tempted to get Cox's... they're difficult... plenty of others to choose from...

    ...perhaps one of the older varieties might appeal.. you'll never see these in shops...

    ...I don't think these days you need wait too long for nice pears...should you decide to grow these too...

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,766

    This http://www.readsnursery.co.uk/ is a really helpful website and the nursery supplies first class plants.  I've recently bought several fruit trees and bushes from them and I am very impressed.  

    They have a wide range of varieties, including some quite unusual ones.

    They are also very helpful, taking time and trouble to answer email enquiries.  I heartily recommend them - I have no connection with them other than as a very satisfied customer.image

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • waterbuttswaterbutts Posts: 1,214

    Hello cmn374,

    What a lot of choice you have. I agree with Salino that an apple on M9 rootstock will have enough vigour to provide you with a good supply of apples without requiring a ladder or a lifelong stake to support it. I'm up a hill in rural Derbyshire and am growing Bramley, James Grieve, Blenheim Orange, Lane's Prince Albert and Gala quite successfully. I agree with Salino that Cox's is a waste of time - it needs two other different varieties to pollinate it and even then is a shy fruiter.

    Yes, grow pears. Modern rootstocks are a world away from the old ones.You will have pears, not a lot, within a couple of years. I have a Conference and a Red Williams and they are both 3 years old and both have 2 nice pears on them now.

    Yes, get a damson. They are no trouble to grow at all. And they are self fertile but you could add a plum tree or two as well.I have Czar, Marjorie's Seedling and Victoria. A bumper year this year.

    I also have a Vranja quince tree. Not a great deal you can do with quinces other than make jelly, but the tree is attractive, the flowers are sweetly pretty and the fruits will puzzle non gardening visitors.

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