Fruit for North Facing Wall

[Pinfold Plotter]

I have a 10ft tall dry stone wall on the north side of my plot. It gets unobstructed sun in the morning, but it's in shade for the rest of the day. The plus side is that as it gets the sun early, the wall heats up and retains it, it's often quite a bit warmer inside the plot than outside. I would like to grow some fruit either on cordons or espalier on a 10ft long patch, but would appreciate some advice as what to grow.

I have plenty of friends with too many apples than they know what to do with, so would be looking at something other than apples. I had read that sour cherries do well on north facing walls so that is a possibility. I am quite keen on yellow plums (and can never seem to get them in the shops) so that is another possibility.

The site is on the side of a hill, but is surrounded by dry stone wall and is quite sheltered, considering (especially the potential fruit bed). Last frost date this year was early May, usually late May. Great soil (lots of neighbours with livestock ), good drainage. Any suggestions?

[Thelma Sanders]

morello cherries or plums are a good idea.
I think this link is useful Fruit trees for a north-facing wall - fruit trees for sale

[orangepippin]

Early morning sunlight is potentially a disadvantage in this situation because it can cause the blossom to un-freeze from overnight too quickly.

Yellow plums are most likely gages, and in theory would not be happy in the situation you describe because they would not get enough sunlight to produce the sugars which gives them their distinctive sweetness. However that is just theory, if you are keen it is always worth a try, and I note your point about it retaining heat, which is useful! The hardiest yellow gages are probably Jefferson and Oullins, I reckon Jefferson will grow well enough, and you might get some ripe plums off it as well. However you might need to be careful about frosts in early spring.

[Pinfold Plotter]

morello cherries or plums are a good idea.
I think this link is useful Fruit trees for a north-facing wall - fruit trees for sale

Thank you for the link - that's really helpful.

Yellow plums are most likely gages, and in theory would not be happy in the situation you describe because they would not get enough sunlight to produce the sugars which gives them their distinctive sweetness. However that is just theory, if you are keen it is always worth a try, and I note your point about it retaining heat, which is useful! The hardiest yellow gages are probably Jefferson and Oullins, I reckon Jefferson will grow well enough, and you might get some ripe plums off it as well. However you might need to be careful about frosts in early spring.

I've found some yellow plums here (Yellow Pershore plum trees for sale | Order online) that seems to be suited for the shade and cold temp. I haven't had a gage since childhood and just remember a really sour, sharp fruit that made my face squeeze - I hope my taste buds have matured since then!

[orangepippin]

Yes, Yellow Pershore would be a good choice - it's primarily a sharp cooking plum though, which is one of the reasons it should be OK for your situation. Yellow gages are sweeter. I would be inclined to try several different varieties, as that way you are spreading the risk - you should then get a crop every year.

[Pinfold Plotter]

If I were to espalier them (that way I could "overlap" the branches), how many would be suitable for a 10ft bed?

[orangepippin]

Plums don't really work as espaliers, try them as fans instead.

Plums are fairly vigorous, I would allow 3m / 10ft or more per tree.

[Pinfold Plotter]

I will have to rethink this then, try and increase the space and get a yellow pershore and a yellow gage. Incidentally, I've just come back from Morrisons and they have yellow plums in today, I am just about to get my maslin pan out

[orangepippin]

If you see yellow plums in a supermarket they are very unlikely to be English. They are almost certainly "Japanese" plums of the species Prunus salicina, and are primarily intended for eating fresh rather than cooking. They are grown in Europe, the USA, Chile, South Africa etc. - but not in the UK because they need a warmer climate.

Your Yellow Pershore plums, as well as the varieties I have mentioned, are the European plum species Prunus domestica - these are usually far superior in flavour, but they have a much shorter season and are more delicate, so the supermarkets prefer the Japanese varieties.

There is a small chance they could be yellow mirabelles or possibly cherry plums from France (which are very good for cooking with). These are both fairly closely related to the European plum, and very seasonal.

[yummersetter]

I haven't had a gage since childhood and just remember a really sour, sharp fruit that made my face squeeze - I hope my taste buds have matured since then!

You must have pinched an unripe one! When they're ready to eat, gages are like honey mixed with sunshine. Only about 20 on my tree this year and I'm looking forward to every bite.