Family fruit trees or trees with many varieties on

[blondiewonder]

Family Fruit Trees (Bare-rooted)

Has anyone any experience of these, good or bad? Are the a gimmick or are the a real help when space is limited?

Thanks

[Kirk]

They work, but I think that they take more thought then a single variety tree. Both from you and whoever put it together.
It will depend on what types are chosen, and usually they "make" the tree by varieties.
The problem is the vigor of the varieties, you can find that in effect one takes over if it is more vigorous then the others. So the 3 selected really needs to be match on this not 3 nice sounding varities.

The first mentions Bramley, that is a triploid (well said to be) and that is vigorous. Could find that if it is the main stem then the others are out competed. If it is a branch then it will grow most and the tree will be a bit lob-sided.

Usually Ken Muir is good and may well have taken this into account.

Personally if you have the space 2 or 3 apples on M9 or M26 seems better. But if space is a factor and if you pay a little attention to pruning then it should be OK. One factor is if you get one label the branches/types up with 2 or 3 good labels. They gt lost easily and it is easy to forget.

[blondiewonder]

They work, but I think that they take more thought then a single variety tree. Both from you and whoever put it together.
It will depend on what types are chosen, and usually they "make" the tree by varieties.
The problem is the vigor of the varieties, you can find that in effect one takes over if it is more vigorous then the others. So the 3 selected really needs to be match on this not 3 nice sounding varities.

The first mentions Bramley, that is a triploid (well said to be) and that is vigorous. Could find that if it is the main stem then the others are out competed. If it is a branch then it will grow most and the tree will be a bit lob-sided.

Usually Ken Muir is good and may well have taken this into account.

Personally if you have the space 2 or 3 apples on M9 or M26 seems better. But if space is a factor and if you pay a little attention to pruning then it should be OK. One factor is if you get one label the branches/types up with 2 or 3 good labels. They gt lost easily and it is easy to forget.

Hi, thanks for the advice, as a novice fruit grower these are things I wouldn't have considered, supposed could contact ken must and ask these questions.
Kind regards
Emma