Recommendations for where to buy fruit trees

[d000hg]

Is there a general consensus that buying online/mail order is a good or bad option in terms of having them come through the post? Or is a decent local garden centre still the preferred option?

If I can't find a good garden centre, which online suppliers get the thumbs up from our more experienced members in terms of variety, quality, price, whatever?

What should I be looking for exactly? I don't know what else we want but the wife is really keen to get a Russet apple tree as that's her favourite from the shop

[bario1]

I'm no expert on fruit trees, but I was very impressed with the two year old bush cherry tree I bought from Blackmoor Nurseries.

[cheops]

I think nurseries by far are more expensive - having said that you choose the tree you want . Iv'e always bought from J Parkers and always pleased with any orders.

[Lardman]

You're a little late in the season to buy bare rooted trees but ideally find a local nursery who know what they're doing. Postage when buying online can be as much as the tree itself, not a problem if you're buying 5-6 but rather wasteful if you're buying 1.

Most if not all good companies will use overnight couriers and pack the items well, there will be less damage than stuffing it in the boot of your car (I speak from experience).

Blackmoor - They were terrible and expensive.
Keepers - Large selection at a reasonable price, apples were good pears not so much.
gb-online - Not impressed at all.
Walcots - Good apples and plum trees, but a little more costly and delivery makes you winch.

I've spent the most money at Walcots.

[veggiechicken]

I've only bought from Blackmoors and have always been very pleased with the trees, packaging and customer service.

[fishpond]

I've only bought from Blackmoors and have always been very pleased with the trees, packaging and customer service.

Ditto VC above, In fact I am going there tomorrow to collect another fruit tree. (LOST COUNT NOW.)
All my fruit trees, bushes comes from them.

[flynch]

I've bought from blackmoor, keepers, Orange pippin, deacons, ashridge, b&q and tesco. Blackmoor and Orange pippin trees and keepers had the best form followed by ashridge. Deacons required some pruning but that's not too much of an issue and their Apple selection is the largest. The trees I got from Tesco were small and very cheap but are doing extremely well and are full of blossom this year (their 3rd year). I guess it boils down to what variety you want and what you want to spend and how long you want to wait for the fruit. 2 year old trees are more expensive but fruit much faster for you. Have you considered what rootstock you want your tree on?

[GBax]

I have bought (in the last couple of years) from the following with no complaints

Blackmore
Keepers
Ashridge
Real English Fruit
Orange Pippin
Brogdale

Personally I prefer to buy from specialist nurseries and would never buy from a supermarket for two reasons: firstly if you don't support them the specialists will cease to exist and secondly i think you are less likely to have an issues with disease from a specialist vs a stack em high and sell em cheap merchant.

[GBax]

In term of russet i presume you mean Egremont Russet - please note ER is only partially self fertile so will do better with a friend to cross pollinate

[sparrow100]

If you're looking for a russet, can I plug Ashmead's Kernel? The apples are fantastic, by far the best russet I've ever eaten.

I've had really good results from trees from Blackmoors, Brogdale and Ashridge. Some of the trees through Brogdale are also Blackmoors, as they grow for a number of suppliers and garden centres.

[veggiechicken]

.............and I'd plug https://www.orangepippin.com/apples/brownlees-russet with its pink blossom.

[d000hg]

Have you considered what rootstock you want your tree on?

I've considered that while i know this is important, i don't know anything about it!

In term of russet i presume you mean Egremont Russet - please note ER is only partially self fertile so will do better with a friend to cross pollinate

of the same type, or just any other apple tree?

[fishpond]

1) I've considered that while i know this is important, i don't know anything about it!


2) of the same type, or just any other apple tree?

My ER is approx 18ft tall on MM106, you could go for M26 which would be smaller by 3 or 4 feet.(explained on Blackmoors site, see below)
MM106
Semi vigorous, Approximate height 4-5 metres when mature.

M26
Semi dwarfing, Approximate height 3-4 metres when mature.

M27
Very dwarfing, Approximate height 1.8 metres when mature.
All of the above sizes are approximate, as site and soil play a big part in ultimate size.

2) Any Apple in pollination group 2 or 1 either side (either 1 or 3), even a neighbours tree will do the job.(within approx 100 feet)

[flynch]

If you have crab apples near by you should be fine with just one tree, if not and no neighbours have keepers nursery have a pollination partners guide.

[flynch]

My ER is approx 18ft tall on MM106, you could go for M26 which would be smaller by 3 or 4 feet.(explained on Blackmoors site, see below)
MM106
Semi vigorous, Approximate height 4-5 metres when mature.

M26
Semi dwarfing, Approximate height 3-4 metres when mature.

M27
Very dwarfing, Approximate height 1.8 metres when mature.
All of the above sizes are approximate, as site and soil play a big part in ultimate size.

2) Any Apple in pollination group 2 or 1 either side (either 1 or 3), even a neighbours tree will do the job.(within approx 100 feet)

Add M9 dwarf 2.5 metres fruiting in 2-3rd year

M25 vigorous well over 5metres fruiting 5-6 year

M26 fruiting 3-4th year

M27 fruiting in the 2 year

Please note that can be greatly affected by the variety, season, soil ext.

If you want a large tree m106 or m116. For a backyard tree I stick with m26 nice size tree without too much hassle. Have many on m9 and m27 requires permanent staking and watering more often in dry spells and of course less fruit per tree