Ive been asked to put in an apple tree and cherry tree for a new client
They want instant impact, ie no 2-3yr old sticks as they put it! are happy to pay £150+ each for more mature examples that will provide a reasonable crop of more than just a few apples next year.
They like Gala apples but i was under the impression they didnt fruit so well in the UK, anyone know for sure or can reccomend a similar tasting variety?
Also they want a sweet tasting fruiting cherry of which i have no experience, any recommendations?
I couldnt see any other fruit trees in neighbouring gardens so a pollination partner of some description will be required, again another variety that is similar to Gala but different to whatever the first tree is would be nice? and same with the cherry i guess!
Thanks, Anthony
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Replies
For a sweet tasting cherry you want a cultivar of Prunus avium.
I would strongly suggest against getting mature apple trees, - they develop a lot better from maiden (1 yr since graft) or bush - 2-3 years. plus you won't find a good (or anything other than very limited) selection.
Get a larger rootstock and the tree will get bigger quicker, - if you don't want dwarf avoid M9 or M26, - you want M106 at least, -
Where are they? - over the next couple of months there are lots of apple events at gardens around the country where they can go and taste apples and then order the trees.
Wisley, Brogdale and West Dene all have apple days.
Choose pollination group 3, as there are most varieties in that group.
and in my opinion, choose an apple tree variety that you can't buy in the supermarkets, - A local heritage one would be good.
take a look at this site http://www.trees-online.co.uk/ it is full of good information about fruit trees and root stock types, try and find a supplier of half or standard trees on 106 or 111 stoke type, they will a good size and shaped of trees like the once you would find in an old style orchard, hope the garden has plenty of room as these types of trees will need an area of about 15m2 of each tree with in the next 10 to 15 years
Where in the country is the client? Recommendations for varieties depend very much on geographical location. Foe example, I love Victoria plums but they don't do well here in Devon, so I've had to find other similar varieites. Try asking your local National Trust Orchards Officer - they're usually very helpful. Or contact http://www.brogdale.org/ who hold the national fruit collections. If you're in Devon/Cornwall, I might be able to help
client is on south london/kent border and doesnt want trees that get too big so semi dwarf for the apple trees would be preferable
If I were you, I'd contact Brogdale. You could even take the client there for a vist and open his/her eyes to the delights of nicer varieties than 'Gala'! They're near Faversham. See http://www.brogdalecollections.co.uk/contact-details.html for details
I chose a small family tree (Sunset, Braeburn, Bountiful) for my garden from one of the online suppliers, couple of fruit 18 months after planting. It was just a stick really.
stick = trunk :)