growing an apple or pear pyramid advice

[seneca196]

hello,
I fancied having a go at growing a pyramid tree, either apple or pear, or maybe both. I've seen a few recently and think they look superb. A very elegant and I imagine efficient form for ripening the fruit, thereby producing great flavor. Anyway, I have a few questions I need a bit of advice on:

1) As they are a restricted form and I'll like a large tree, which would be a good rootstock to go for (apple and pear.) I would imagine m26 and QC being the obvious ones, but how about m106 and QA?

2) Are there any particular traits I should be looking for when choosing a variety? I imagine free-spurring as opposed to a tip bearer.

3) Any recommended varieties I should consider?

4) Should I start with a one year old maiden or should I think try and adapt another form?
thanksiu

[orangepippin]

1) Any rootstock can be used.
2) Not really - how much space do you have?
3) Any
4) Definitely start with a 1-year maiden. Some suppliers offer "knip-boom" apple trees on M9 rootstocks, and these are effectively pre-trained spindle-bush trees and therefore already close to the pyramid form.

[seneca196]

Thanks.

I have two areas in the garden that have fairly good soil and are in sun for a large part of the day. One area is 5.5m long and the other is 3.5m.

I would ideally like 3 apple trees in the 5.5m area and 1 large pear in the 3.5m area.
For apples I am not sure if 3 m26 or m106 would be better. I suppose I would prefer taller rather than wider. While 3 m26 makes more sense for a better proportioned tree, I'm worried the close spacing might further limit growth and I may not get the desired height and growth. I have heard of m106 grown a metre apart as vertical cordons to form a fruiting hedge and was wondering if with a bit more space I could get closer to a pyramid (though a spindle would probably work better.)
Possible varieties - Kidds Orange Red, Red Falstaff, Fiesta, Egremont Russet, Sunset

The pear I would like as big and tall a pyramid as possible. Maybe a QA or even a pyrodwarf, though I imagine with trying to achieve pyramid proportions with these rootstocks would be difficult. Half standard would be easier I guess. However, aren't pears naturally a sort of pyramid shape if left alone. Maybe a half standard with produce a vaguely similar shape anyway. With pears I would almost certainly want to go for concord. It gets such a good press seems and seems perfect garden pear. It also tastes great in my opinion.

Any thoughts anyone?