Fruit Trees - what happened?

[Eoghan]

I discovered that my apple tree can indeed fruit and that it was a pollination problem not a climate problem. This year there are no trees to be had? What happened and does anyone have a secret supply? Basically looking for the wrapped root plants ready for planting.

[ameno]

It's rather too late in the year to be finding bare-root plants.
Those sort of wrapped bareroot plants appear in diy shops and supermarkets in March, usually. Bareroot can't be planted once they are in leaf; there's a high chance they'll die.
You might still find potted trees somewhere, but for bareroot you'll have to wait until this winter.

[Nicos]

Potted trees are much more expensive too if you can find them locally.

[nickdub]

I don't think there were as many trees being offered for sale last winter, possibly because of closures due to covid. Your best bet is to google a few on line suppliers and order for Autumn delivery, you'll pay a little more, but you get a wider range of choice.

[Nicos]

I also wonder if Brexit might account for some shortages too?...plant passports etc?