Choosing the Right Fruit Tree

Fruit Trees

What are the points you should take into account when it comes to choosing fruit trees? It is a question we are often asked, and here are just some of the factors you might want to consider:

Final Height of the Tree

The final height of the tree is often determined by the rootstock that it has been grafted onto. Varieties are available that range from very dwarf (between 1.5 and 2.0 metres in final height) up to vigorous (3.5 to 4.0 metres), depending upon the category of fruit.

Pollination

Peaches, nectarines and apricots are all self-fertile, as are many varieties of plum, damson and cherry, so pollination and fruiting will not normally pose a problem.

On the other hand, apples and pears often need a pollinator to encourage fruiting. Most suburban situations offer generous supplies of pollen due to the close proximity of other gardens, but if the fruit tree you select does need a pollinator, you should choose to plant a partner for it nearby that belongs to the same or neighbouring flowering group.

Soil and Site Conditions

Fruit trees will tolerate most types of soil, but a deep, loamy, well-drained soil is best. They will rarely thrive in heavy clay, rocky soil or soil with low levels of fertility.

Cherries perform particularly well on chalky soils but most fruit trees prefer a neutral soil. Some varieties, such as apricots, peaches and nectarines, require some shelter from frost and thrive best when grown under cover or on a warm south-facing wall.

A very open, windy site is not ideal because the blossom can be blown off before pollination occurs.

Feeding

Fruit trees need feeding at the end of February in order to crop well.

• Nitrogen promotes foliage and vigorous growth; dessert apples need less than cooking apples and pears, while plums and cherries appreciate more.
• Phosphorus promotes healthy growth and fruit.
• Potassium is necessary for good fruit colour, flavour, hardiness and fruit bud development.

How much feeding fruit trees need depends on the soil and can be adjusted depending on growth, cropping and soil analysis. An annual mulch of bulky organic matter after applying the fertiliser will benefit trees by reducing water loss and suppressing weeds, as well as providing some nutrients. Bulky organic materials include well rotted stable or farmyard manure, leaf mould and garden compost.

Pruning

Most fruit trees benefit from regular light pruning. Little and often is the rule of thumb to keep in mind. Some varieties of apple and all medlars and quinces are “tip bearers” and should not be pruned except to remove whole branches which are very old, damaged or diseased.

Apples and pears can be pruned at any time of the year.This is generally done in the late autumn or winter but summer pruning is particularly effective in controlling growth and containing the tree size. Cherry trees along with apricot, damson, gage, nectarine, peach and plum should only be pruned lightly in the summer to avoid disease problems.

Pest and Disease

Aphids can be a problem on many fruit trees, often attacking new growth. Apples and pears are prone to fungal diseases such as mildew and scab, especially in hot weather, but will not affect tree growth or fruit development. Stone fruits are susceptible to bacterial canker and die back which is often caused by excessive watering between leaf fall and bud burst. As with most plants, prevention is better than cure! Keeping your young trees well watered and weed-free in its first year will get it off to a good start. A strong, healthy tree can fight off most diseases. If you are keen to prevent fungal diseases, use an approved fungicide once the tree comes into leaf and then at two-week intervals avoiding blossom time due to bee activity. Pesticides should be used sparingly and only if necessary.

What varieties of fruit tree do we stock?

We carry many types of fruit tree, and also different varieties of each, including Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum, Gage, Damson, Medlar and Peach.

The best way to determine what is available is to visit us, but do also check the catalogue listing under our Plants section.

Most of our stock is based upon 2-year-old trees in 12 litre pots. We have a few in larger 20 litre containers which are a year older, and during the dormant season we will also have a stock of bare root trees.

We often stock a selection of cordon, espalier and fan trained trees.

When to Plant a Fruit Tree

Generally, the best time to plant is in the late autumn and winter, before the tree comes into bud. Most of our trees are container grown and can, in theory, be planted at any time. If planted during the summer months when they are actively growing, they are unlikely to get sufficient water to thrive.

Please see our Planting and Watering Guidelines.

Recommended Reading

• Growing Fruit Trees, by Bonham Bazeley (Collins), by Dr. D. G. Hessayon (Expert Books)
• The Backyard Orchardist: Complete Guide to Growing Fruit Trees in the Home Garden, by Stella Otto.
• Growing Fruit (RHS’s Encyclopedia of Practical Gardening), by Harry Baker.

Nicholsons High quality fruit trees

Nicholsons have built an enviable reputation as a supplier of the highest quality fruit trees: we have been supplying fruit trees to private individuals, estates and businesses for over 25 years. We offer advice on which varieties will be compatible for pollination and which rootstocks will give the best sized tree for your garden or orchard. We stock fruit trees that not only give you a long life, but which produce consistently good crops of fruit with the best possible flavour.

Our Fruit Tree Range

Our fruit tree nursery stocks a range of fruit trees that is wider and more comprehensive than any of the local Garden Centres or nurseries and our prices are extremely competitive. Our extensive range of fruit trees includes all sizes from dwarf to half standard and through to large, mature specimen trees suitable for domestic gardens, orchards or country estates. We can supply our trees in containers, on various rootstocks or as bare root trees. We always stock the popular varieties of fruit tree including Apple trees, Plum trees, Pear trees, Peach and Nectarine trees, Cherry trees and many more.

We are also well known as a supplier of some of the more unusual fruit trees such as Medlar, Mulberry and Fig trees, for example. For our full range of fruit trees and current availability see prices and availability.

Trained Fruit

In addition to the fruit trees we also stock trained fruit in various forma such as step over apples, fantrained, espalier and cordon fruit trees. These are especially suited to training against a wall or for use as a dividing screen in the garden. Most of the fruit trees (top fruit) we sell are in the 12-25 litre size if container grown but we also stock soft fruit bushes and rhubarb.

How To Buy Our Fruit Trees

You can browse our extensive collection of fruit trees, espalier, fan trained and cordon fruit, and soft fruit at our Oxfordshire home and select your fruit trees.

Need Some Expert Knowledge?

Choosing which Fruit Tree to buy can be daunting. There are the various types of rootstock to consider, flowering time to ensure pollination, time of harvest and length of storage to name but a few of the decisions you need to make.

Here at Nicholsons we have fully trained staff to advise on all aspects of fruit selection growing, pruning and training.

Aftercare Of Your Fruit Trees

Having planted the fruit tree you need to consider aftercare and we can advise on this too – weed control, pruning, pests and diseases.

If you would like further information, please don’t hesitate to Contact us.