apple espaliers

[gray]

hello, i'm planting up a new and quite small 30x36ft partially shaded garden in north london and want to put in a couple of apple trees against a south east facing wall/fence. I would be grateful if anyone could tell me whether I would be ok in putting in ashmeads kernel and charles ross. As far as I can see they should be able to pollinate one another, however I am slightly concerned that on the various pieces of info I have found on the web there are very few references to either being grown as espaliers. Presuming this would be a reasonable choice how much space (in terms of width) should I allow? I'm thinking of 7feet per tree as this seems to be about the minimum I can see suggested and as I say I'm short of space.

many thanks for any help.

gray

[Snadger]

I think its more to do with the rootstock they are grafted onto rather than the actual cultivar.
I have some cordon grown apples planted at the allotment which are cropping fine (cheapies from Aldi) but I fancy some espaliers at my new garden so look forward to any fruit specialists answering your question.
I do know that some varieties are triploid though and require three different pollinators!

[FB.]

I would not choose Ashmead's Kernel to grow as a trained form, since trained forms need heavy pruning and the heavy pruning can result in over-vigorous re-growth, which then results in the shoots stealing nutrients from the fruits and the fruits having an increased chance of "bitter pit" - which is something that Ashmead's Kernel is exceptionally prone to suffer from, even in the best circumstances.
Additionally, Ashmead's Kernel is an unpredictable cropper, which would result in heavy fruit crops in some years, but light fruit crops and vigorous shoot growth in other years. The vigorous growth needing heavy pruning could make bitter pit worse.

But.....if you were to grow a small bush of Ashmead's Kernel on M9 rootstock, you would be able to keep it to about 5-6ft height and spread, so would not need to hard prune - and the M9 rootstock helps to reduce bitter pit in those varieties that are more prone to it. However, M9 rootstock has very brittle roots, so needs careful consideration if the tree is to be grown in a top-heavy form, otherwise it will literally snap off at ground level.

I don't see a problem with growing Charles Ross as a trained form.


What is it about Ashmead' Kernel that makes it so desirable to you?
Is there another variety that would be a good substitute for your requirements?

[gray]

thanks for your reply - I've been away so couldn't reply sooner. Your advice on Ashmead's Kernel is well taken and I think I'll avoid trying to train it. I had wanted to grow it as I was looking for a "heritage" later cropping variety with an interesting flavour which would cross pollinate Charles Ross. Can you suggest any alternatives which would train well?

[FB.]

I'd choose Brownlees Russet or Cockle Pippin as more reliable and disease-resistant substitutes for Ashmead's Kernel. However, they are not as easy to find.
Both of the above should flower around the same time as Charles Ross.
In any case, Brownlees Russet and Charles Ross are reasonably self-fertile.

Egremont Russet is a heritage variety that is easy-to-find, self-fertile, disease resistant, easy to grow/train and would cross-pollinate with Charles Ross.

[Snadger]

I'd choose Brownlees Russet or Cockle Pippin as more reliable and disease-resistant substitutes for Ashmead's Kernel. However, they are not as easy to find.
Both of the above should flower around the same time as Charles Ross.
In any case, Brownlees Russet and Charles Ross are reasonably self-fertile.

Egremont Russet is a heritage variety that is easy-to-find, self-fertile, disease resistant, easy to grow/train and would cross-pollinate with Charles Ross.

Nice one FB!

[gray]

Thank you FB ive found and ordered a maiden brownlees russet on m106 - just have to wait a few months to take delivery and plant.