Would anyone like to choose me a tree?

[jenkinsdh]

Hi there - I'm a new member but have lurked for a while and wondered whether you could provide some inspiration for me.

I have room for one more fruit tree in our garden but can't decide what to get. The garden is in the midlands (Warwickshire/Leicestershire borders), with fairly good soil and is neither shaded or massively exposed. Available space dictates a 3-4m half-standard tree when fully grown.

We already have...

• Crab apple x1
• Apple x 4 (cooking, dual and dessert)
• Pear x3
• Hazel (innoculated with truffle) x2
• Plum x2 (dessert and dual use)
• Damson x1
• Quince x1
• Medlar x1

We also have a fan trained cherry in a fruit cage.

There's a limit to the amount of apples/pears and other normal fruit we can consume so I'm after something a bit more unusual or, at the least, offering something 'special' in some way. I've considered mulberry (but would need pruning), and peach (but nervous of lack of protection) and would like to hear your thoughts.

Over to you...

JenkinsDH

[fishpond]

How about a Fig?

[Guest]

Is everything on your list fruiting ok? do any need a pollinating partner. Also how many are you feeding? If there are only a couple of you the sensible route would be an apple that would extend the season (can be stored). You could get an apricot, they don't need protecting like peaches and nectarines. As lovely as plums are I would try and sneak a gage in. You could try a persimmon if it was a sheltered sunny spot but the rest of us have bought the cheap ones. You haven't mentioned grapes (although not a tree) you can grow them into tree like forms. (pic taken from a gurgle search)



Oops, you said just one. Nope, sorry I can't do it.

Edit: Hi and welcome to the vine

[GBax]

I see you point about the amount of Pears/ Apples you can consume....without knowing the varieties you have planted.....but you could consider one of the very late keeping varieties of either that would give you homegrown fruit that would store until after Christmas.

Pear Winter Nelis perhaps or Apple Suntan or Sturmer Pippin

[devonuk]

I would decide which you like most of dessert apples/pears/plums, and whichever the answer is grow a variety which overlaps with the flowering, but fruits earlier or later than, what you already have. Greengage in my case.

[Nicos]

I'd go for fig, mirabelle or apricot.

And welcome to the Vine!

[chrisdb]

Some alternative edible fruits/nuts:

Strawberry tree
Various hawthorns (many supposedly are nicer than our native hawthorn)
Cornus spp. (e.g. cornus mas, Cornelian cherry)
Blue bean tree
Persimmon (but may be much bigger than you want, you'd need an American or hybrid variety)
Elaeagnus spp. (E.g, umbellata)
Blackthorn
Sorbus spp. (Especially sorb apples)
Siberian pea tree

[Guest]

Black elder - you can have pink fizz, cordial, jelly etc. Black ones are prettier and more behaved.

[Lardman]

If you're in no hurry what about a walnut tree ?

[Bigmallly]

A Banana Tree................well, I had to didn't I?....................

[the big lebowski]

is that your house ng ? looks fantastic ,i`d go for plum or a grapevine ,cheers

[Jay-ell]

Blue Sausage Tree (Decaisnea fargesii)
Hardy Orange (Poncirus trifoliata)
Siberian Pea Tree

[the big lebowski]

lol i thought you were joking then i googled blue sausage tree and what do you know there it is anyone ever eaten one ? also how many truffles do you get a year ? always been v interested in them ,cheers

[Guest]

is that your house ng ? looks fantastic ,i`d go for plum or a grapevine ,cheers

I would love to say it is my holiday home but it is just a pic I pinched from gurgle.

[sparrow100]

Having tasted the fruits last year, I'd go for a mulberry. You can train them as espaliers.