Supporting newly planted apple trees

[Woofster]

I have just planted 2 apple trees on my lottie - Falstaff and James Grieve. They were quite cheap from Homebase - £9.99 and not rooted in pots although they were in soil. They appeared not to have much of a root system. I have planted them but have not given them any support a) because I forgot to buy any poles and b) because my soil is very chalky and I am not sure if the poles would stay up any more than the trees. I did dig a good size hole for them and put in a lot of compost/manure and so far they are looking quite happy. Any thoughts ?

[yoanbob]

we are on clay so dont have your problem but Im always worried mine will slide away with the rain,(we are on a big slope) so far so good tho, even with very small roots, we somitmes tie the branches to a brick to encourage growth and stregth in the right direction, might not be your answer but I'm sure somone will be able to help

[Snadger]

I've got apples planted in a cordon with an 8 foot cane tied in to each, This is for training purposes only rather than support. The apples I have in pots have no support and were bare rooted plants which fruited last year no prob. I was a bit worried the weight of fruit would snap them but they were ok and the weight has forced the branches to hang down a bit which should help encourage fruiting spurs for the future!

[littlemark]

Our trees are all staked because they are on semi-dwarfing rootstock which doesn't provide a good anchor to the tree for a few years. The less vigorous the rootstock, and the more exposed the site, the more need there is to support your trees. Our orchard is not particularly exposed, but the recent high winds we've experienced would have almost certainly blown a few of the trees over.

If you choose to stake your trees, I would recommend Gardman Tree Stakes (1.2m x 35mm, pressure treated, FSC softwood) Gardman - Garden Products - Plant Support - Tree Stakes and Ties
We initially used square section stakes of the type available from large DIY stores, but they were rubbish and we ended up changing several which had broken.

Mark

[Woofster]

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice. In my heart of hearts I know I should try, at least, to put stakes in. I won't be able to do this until after Monday's bad weather forecast so I shall be interested to see how my little trees bear up (or down).
Yoanbob, I was intrested to hear that you too garden on a slope. My plot is on a 30 - 40 degree slope of poor chalky soil that is concealing the remains of an air raid shelter. I depend on raised beds, mostly to grow veg successfully (the apples are not in a raised bed).

[littlemark]

My plot is on a 30 - 40 degree slope of poor chalky soil that is concealing the remains of an air raid shelter. I depend on raised beds, mostly to grow veg successfully (the apples are not in a raised bed).

I understand from a cider apple grower in Dorset that the chalky soil is likely to affect the vigour of your trees significantly, ie. show very slow growth and may never acheive the size of similar trees grown on a richer soil. However, the quality of apples grown on chalk is often exceptional, with higher sugar levels and better flavour.

Mark

[bobbin]

Dwarf fruit trees.

When I took over my allotment last year I noticed a nearby allotment had a lovely apple tree full of fruit but only about 4ft high. They have since added 2 more but I do'nt know nor have seen the plot holder to ask what they are. I know diddly squat about fruit trees and only have a small plot.Can any one enlighten me?

[Snadger]

When I took over my allotment last year I noticed a nearby allotment had a lovely apple tree full of fruit but only about 4ft high. They have since added 2 more but I do'nt know nor have seen the plot holder to ask what they are. I know diddly squat about fruit trees and only have a small plot.Can any one enlighten me?

That was mine!!!

Mine is an Aldi cheapo Sunset self fertile(Cox derivative) It only grew to about 4 foot last year in a large pot and I had a dozen large tasty apples off it. It is now standing about five foot high ready for, I hope, a bumper crop! I have no idea what rootstock it is on but is deffo a dwarfing one!

I wouldn't be put off using a bare rooted fruit tree, in fact I think bare rooted are sometimes better!

[Woofster]

Despite the wind and rain today my apple trees are still standing ! I am probably speaking too soon. Maybe it is because there are no leaves yet.
Interesting to hear, littlemark, about apples on chalky soil. Am looking forwaard to tasting anything my two produce.

[bobbin]

Dwaef Trees.

Haddaway snadger man,A divvint think it was ya nah.(I'm a geordie as well) although maybe you just live there. Anyway I dont understand what you mean by rootstock can you tell me?

[Snadger]

Haddaway snadger man,A divvint think it was ya nah.(I'm a geordie as well) although maybe you just live there. Anyway I dont understand what you mean by rootstock can you tell me?

Ahhhh! Haddaway and shite, that well known firm of Solicitors!

Most apples, and other fruit, are grafted onto a rootstock. If you look low down on the stem you will see where the graft has been as there is normally a 'dog leg' which has caloused over. The rootstock is another related species which, because the tree is now using its roots,can have a dwarfing effect on the fruit. Different rootstocks are used to give different dwarfing effects and are usually denoted by numbers like M27,or M25........................ And no, before you ask, they aren't named after motorways!