Supplier Recommendations for Espalier/Cordon Trees

[Rhona]

I want to order some trees for Mr R's new espalier/cordon project as it's almost his Birthday. The research I've done on suppliers is mixed and I'd love to know if anyone's ordered in the last couple of years and could recommend a supplier of cordon-ready/established espalier trees (we want to get off to a quick start).

I'll choose the varieties when I'm happy that the supplier is reliable, but looking for apple, cherry (fan cordon only), and another soft fruit.

I know there's loads on the t'internet, but stocks are low at this time of year, and I don't want to get fobbed off with something sub-standard, so would like a tried and tested recommendation pleeeeease and thank you.

[FionaH]

Mate of mine suggested I go to a supplier on the Isle of Wight. I am thinking about some espalier across the garden. Dont think she actually told me the name, (not much help I know but how many can there be on a small island?)

[FB.]

Mate of mine suggested I go to a supplier on the Isle of Wight. I am thinking about some espalier across the garden. Dont think she actually told me the name, (not much help I know but how many can there be on a small island?)

Deacon's Nursery.

Deacon's Nursery - Home

[FB.]

Fans are difficult to transport without breakage, which, if damaged, ruins the shape.
Most mail-order nurseries specialise in one-year "maindens" that are little more than a twig the size and thickness of a bamboo cane.
Some supply larger trees, but usually at a greater cost.

If you can find a local nursery, it would be better to hand-pick the best shaped ones that you can also take home yourself, rather than trust a courier.
With mail-order, you never quite know whether you'll get one with a bent trunk, a one-sided branch system, a big lumpy scar at the graft, or some other unattractive or awkward feature.

You could always buy a "maiden" and train it yourself, but it will take a few years.

Deacons, Blackmoor, Chris Bowers, R V Roger might be worth a look.
But I can find larger, 2-3yr old trees/bushes/fans/cordons locally for less than mail-order prices.
The best time is to look for late summer/early autumn "half-price clearance" from garden centres. Planting a 2-4 year old container grown tree in early September gives very good, early establishment. It's also much larger and stronger than most mail order.
Frightening as it may seem, I also break up a lot of the soil around the roots, to untangle all the roots which would otherwise strangle itself.

[Lovage]

I can really reccomend RV Roger Ltd of Pickering North Yorks, had quite a bit from them.

Good old fashioned nurserymen ( Lawrence Hills of HDRA worked there) with a huge list of tempting varieties, ( 170 varieties of apple ) some quite rare or unusual. Mail order stuff is well packed and it's not that far to go and collect

Plants by mail order from R.V.Roger Ltd

[Speed Gardener]

I used Chris Bowers a couple of times last winter and their stuff was excellent, lots of good root on both apple cordons and currant double cordons. The plants are well packed in large bags with plenty of straw. Just make sure you note what you've ordered because the web ordering system doesn't keep a copy when you've hit the order button.
The nurseries should have plenty of stock now because this is the start of theirs busy time during the dormancy period of fruit.