Cottage Garden

[Bayliss]

We are lucky to have some lovely very old apple trees in our garden but they are approaching end of life. In view of this I have planted a Mulberry tree, cherry and plum tree and now want to plant a few more fruit trees. My question is where to buy them, I'm looking for a bramley apple, pear tree and another plum tree. I don't want the m26 root stocks which most seem to offer, rather prefer the big ' cottage garden' trees. So where to shop in Suffolk/Norfolk or Essex please or a recommended mail order perhaps.

 

[Penners]

These two are both very close to you:

http://www.realenglishfruit.co.uk/content/whereweare.htm
and
http://www.castledentrees.co.uk/

Wickham Market : http://www.botanica.org.uk/index.htm

Ufford (just north of Woodbridge): http://www.crown-nursery.co.uk/

You can save a considerable amount of money by buying bare-rooted trees at this time of year.

 

[Bayliss]

Thanks Penners, just nip over and have a look at those links

 

[robgil]

Why not graft your old trees, can you even do this? I dunno.

 

[Lime]

Why not graft your old trees, can you even do this? I dunno.

Agreed.
Old apple trees are worth preserving, perhaps more so than buildings.

 

[Penners]

Old apple trees are worth preserving.

Not once they've passed their productive life, which is usually around 30 - 40 years. Their yield will deteriorate in quality and quantity.

 

[robgil]

Old apple trees are worth preserving.

Not once they've passed their productive life, which is usually around 30 - 40 years. Their yield will deteriorate in quality and quantity.

But if you graft them wont a brand new tree grow?

 

[brokendelphroom]

But if you graft them wont a brand new tree grow?

Yes, provided a suitable rootstock is used the newly grafted plant will be, in effect a new tree.

Old apple trees are worth preserving.

Not once they've passed their productive life, which is usually around 30 - 40 years. Their yield will deteriorate in quality and quantity.

This is for the most part true, but as always exceptions are common. We have apple trees that are closing in on being 100 years old and have had bumper crops for the last two years. I know that the last years have been exceptional for apples in general, but was still amazed at how these gnarled old trees could be so productive.

 

[Lime]

Old apple trees are worth preserving.

Not once they've passed their productive life, which is usually around 30 - 40 years. Their yield will deteriorate in quality and quantity.

My comment was directed at the old variety.
IME most old apple trees are neglected and it is the infections and resident pests that cause the poor crop.

 

[Keithj]

An old lady whose grandparents lived in this house when she was a toddler came to visit a little while ago. A fascinating few hours were had (her memory was scarily sharp). We learned a lot more about the history of the house.

She told us that she remembered an apple tree outside the upstairs window that had bright red apples which looked wonderful and tasted dreadful. I took her into the back bedroom, which she agreed was the same window, and pointed out the same tree with the same bright red apples, which I confirmed we don't eat.

The tree is in a poor state - hollow, with ivy growing in the hollow part. I'm doing my best to preserve it, because it's quite tall and does a good job of supporting my amateur radio aerials.

 

[biffvernon]

I've bought bare rooted trees by post from http://www.buckingham-nurseries.co.uk and from http://www.talatonplants.co.uk/

 

[Bayliss]

Why not graft your old trees, can you even do this? I dunno.

Its a very good point, I could graft some semi ripe cuttings next late Summer, the problem for me would be getting the root stocks that I need. A a challenge I am going to have a go. but still need to purchase a Bramley Apple as I have none in my garden.

 

[Bayliss]

I've bought bare rooted trees by post from http://www.buckingham-nurseries.co.uk and from http://www.talatonplants.co.uk/

Thank you for the links Biffvernon, I will most likely purchase from the earlier recommended source as they are close to me. But I still like to look around at other nurseries just to see if they have anything rare or unusual in stock.

 

[88v8]

You know that Bramley is a triploid... it needs two pollinators.
Link here mentions the point
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~brailsford/stories/bramley.htm

I would suggest you buy from a good local fruit nursery, as it needs two suitable pollinators that will be in bloom at the same time in your neck of the woods, and a local nursery will best know which ones. Otherwise you will end with a huge tree and little crop.

Ivor

 

[Bayliss]

You know that Bramley is a triploid... it needs two pollinators.
Link here mentions the point
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~brailsford/stories/bramley.htm

I would suggest you buy from a good local fruit nursery, as it needs two suitable pollinators that will be in bloom at the same time in your neck of the woods, and a local nursery will best know which ones. Otherwise you will end with a huge tree and little crop.

Ivor

We are lucky enough to have a number of old apple trees in our garden, mostly craggy neglected old things, which is just how I like them! Full of character and enhance our cottage visually. However, your point regards the bramley needing other pollinators nearby is a good one, my bet is that our old trees will do the job, but as I am buying a few trees I will consult the local nurseryman.
When we first moved into our cottage, nine years back, I planted a mulberry tree, this now is growing quite happily having taken the first five years to make itself at home.