Need a new fruit tree

Ooooh, I like that - and I already have some of the Wolf Garten stuff!

 

I have something similar to that but it's not as easy to use as it appears. That's mainly because my trees are old, 70 - 100 years, and there are a lot of branches. These get in the way of the pole.

 

I always had issues with my plums! Gorgeous in the odd year they weren’t pest ridden though but lots of splitting and a touch of canker. Bit too much hassle tbh

sounds like half standard would be fine. Anywhere you could place an espalier or cordon?

 

Not really Andy - the tree is going to have to go on the cooler side of the garden (north facing, but incredibly sheltered yet still seems to get the sun for the bulk of the day), but there is not a lot of room really. Maybe I should howk the plum tree out and put the apple tree in it's place....

 

We keep the branches quite open but, at their age, there are a lot of them - and all are heavily fruiting ones.

These are some of them

 

I'd be very tempted if your plums aren't performing for you!

I set 'em up...

 

@Graham B Try this site fruitID | Apple Identification | Apple Varieties | Apple Cultivars

They also have 'apple days' around early October. These are dotted around the country and you can take your apples to them for I.D. They identified all our old trees.

 

OK, I am back on this trail, acutely aware that we are at the right sort of time to be planting something. Pollination groups - am I right that this only matters with relation to the surrounding trees? If so, how would I progress not knowing what (if any) trees are nearby? I have a plum tree, and a very small golden delicious apple tree that I doubt will ever come to anything, and my neighbours at the back have what I think is a walnut tree; the neighbours next door did have some sort of apple tree (very small, espalier) but I am not sure if it remains since they moved out and the new folks moved in - and the new folks wouldn't know what it is even if it did remain as it seems to be an impressive feat when they find the lawnmower.....

 

I am thinking we are almost there....

Clearly pollination is going to be the issue, so I am thinking that the Golden Delicious we have was the right tree, wrong supplier, and maybe try that again from Ashridge in a bush size - Golden Delicious Apple Trees | Ashridge Nurseries

I've gone for that one as the apples store so well, and they are the sort of apple that I would quite happily munch on.

As a pollination partner, following Ashridge's guide, Bramley came up - Bramley Seedling Apple Trees for sale - UK Grown | Ashridge Nurseries
I must admit, the combination of having eaters and cookers appeals, lest we be swamped with loads of eating apples that we then cannot deal with? Again, I am thinking bush size, with this one to go at the bottom of the garden (once we have gutted out the loganberry a bit!)

 

Saw this chap in a video recommended on another thread but his orchard walk through might help in selection-


Could be some good options or linked videos for apple selection. Don't forget there are self fertile varities