Recommendations for an apple tree?

Bitsy_Beans

I want to plant an apple tree in our garden, preferably one of dessert kind rather than a cooker.

Do any of you have any recommendation for a particular variety? Perhaps something that provides a good crop without taking up too much space in the garden?
My mum mentioned I ought to plant two in order to allow pollination and therefore a crop every year - is that necessary or can I get away with just one tree?

TIA

Kevie192

Oooh, I'm interested in this also

Do you think we can plant trees and have fruit this year?

Kevin

zarazara

have a good trawl round the internet. An easy to look after apple which stores well seems a good idea. Also one which isnt readily available in the shops. Some apple trees fruit very well one year then not so well the next. Theses tend not to be grown commercially,but they often produce very good eaters. Ashmeads Kernel is one such tree. Deacons Nurserys,Victoria Nuseries and Keepers nurseries all have good web sites. You could also ring Kew Gardens for advice for your particular area.

zarazara

forgot to add you needs trees which flower at the same time for pollination,an early flowerer and a late flowerer will not pollinate each other. You can always use a crab apple as a pollinator.

Mojisola

You can get away with just one treee if there are apples or crab apple trees in nearby gardens. You will need to get one that flowers at the same time as the neighbouring trees. If the owners can't tell you what the tree is, wait to buy yours until you see them flowering.

laurel7172

I love, love, love Ellison's Orange apples.

Bit late this year, but if you want a really special variety, you could always wait until the Autumn and go to the national collection at Brogdale.

Pollination depends on where you are. If you're suburban, it's highly unlikely you won't have a local pollinator. If you're worried about it, and only want one tree, you could always get a "family" apple tree-three varieties grafted onto one trunk.

Bitsy_Beans

Thanks for the replies. Sadly no crab apples that I can see in the neighbouring vicinity <b*gger> so if I were to purchase two then I would probably get two of the same variety.

Laurel - I actually am not fussed about a special variety it's more to do with the sheer number of the fruit that my H eats. I just fancied growing my own for a change. Will have a look into the "family" apple tree - where can you buy these? I am in the suburbs but trees round here are mostly Oaks from what I can see.

Kevie - I doubt I'd get any fruit from a tree planted this year. The apple trees I saw in local nursery weren't mature enough. But I am happy to be proved wrong by someone who knows what they are talking about LOL!

laurel7172

Two of the same variety can't cross-pollinate.

You'll find, if you go to a garden centre, that appropriate pollinators will be marked on the label. Or you could just get a cheap crabapple and stick it in the hedge, if you have one.

Kevie192

Oh my, there are so many!! And so many sites selling them!!

Can anyone recommend a place to buy?

Kevin

laurel7172

Family apple trees-Blackmoor nurseries had them, but they seem to be sold out. However, they do stock a self-fertile "Queen Cox".

Most garden centres sell family trees, I think...one local to me had the Blackmoor one in recently. Blackmoor are expensive (and tbh most of my fruit trees are Aldi/Lidl), but they are fantastic plants.

wallbash

A vote for Ergmont Russet