Allotments 4 All

Can anyone please give me some help on what sort of trees I need. I have a small area about 30ft x8ft it is not closed in but that is the only bit that won`t have flowers in. could I plant 2apple and 2 plum trees in this area and what sort.  I was looking at these dwarf trees but someone said if I bought anysort I could just keep them pruned. Completely in the dark over this. Some of the stores are selling fruit trees and they are cheaper, some of the dwarf ones that I have looked at are around £25 which is a lot if the local thugs decide to destroy them.

not too well up on trees but some of the ones in Morrisons are on semi dwarf rootstock 15'max quoted @4.99

the packaging also states required planting distances and pollinators

As you have limited space the rootstocks chosen are all important.

I would suggest M26 for the apple trees (grow about 10ft - 12 ft tall and need spacing of 10-15 ft. Staking would be needed for the first 5 years.

For the plums I would recommend Pixy rootstock, which grows to about 8-10ft tall and need a spacing of 8-10 feet. These would need staking permanently.

Plums are self fertile, so you could get away with one tree, but on a stronger rootstock, such as St Julien A. These grow 12-15ft tall and need spacing of 12-15ft. Opal is a good variety.

Going back to the apples I don't know where you live, but choose the varieties carefully. I would recommend Winter Gem, Herefordshire Russet, Sunset and Fiesta. Scrumptious is a new early variety that comes highly recommended.

Buying in bulk via the internet would save you money.  Try Ken Muir's website -  http://www.kenmuir.co.uk With a bit of hunting you will find the dessert apples. You will need to get your skates on though as they really need to go in when they're still dormant.

Hope this helps.
Steve

In October I planted 2 different M26 rootstock apple trees to pollinate each other. They are planted about 25ft apart. One harvests Sept-Nov, The other Nov-Feb with good storage ability so we should have apples from Sept through to April.

I intend to prune them annually to a maximum of 10ft. M9 rootstock grow 8-9ft but cost over double the price of M26. You can also get apple trees called BALLERINA or something like that anyway. They have a single trunk with apples growing off the sides. It does not branch out.

I found homebase selling named varieties on rootstocks for £9-99. I have bought a damson merryweather which is about 7 ft tall on St Julien rootstock and it looks very healthy. I could have bought a little stick from J. Parkers for the same price.

Thank you to everyone that replied to my plea, I shall "go forth in haste " and purchase my trees with a lot more  knowledge.  I understand that I have to get  my skates on but with all the wet I`ll need a boat, its got to stop soon,  (hasn`t   it). Good Gourd 2

I've purchased some dwarf trees from Bakker of Spalding.  They were a lot cheaper than ken muir and the p&p is less.  No problems with service or delivery.  They can be planted as little as 2ft apart or in containers (which is what I have done).  Yet to see whether they produce.

Nicola

Well, I am now the proud owner of 1apple, 1pear and 1 plum tree, the apple and pear are M26  and the plum I have forgotten but it  will do about the same as the other two. I  only got three as I do not  have an awfull lot of space. (only 16 pole of allotment) Most of the lotty is taken up with other things the bit that these are going on I rescued but thats another story.  Anyway were all set now. Cheers everyone. Watch this space I spect I shall be wittering on about something to do with them in the near future. Ta.

Dont mean to be a party pooper but have you checked your rules first.? Just remembered - some sites dont allow you to plant any trees of any kind. Fruit bushes only.  ::) ::)

You can keep trees on dwarfing rootstocks down to really very manageable sizes by training and pruning. All my apples and pears are maintained under 6 feet tall, in espalier form. At this sort of size, I haven't staked them, but then the soil is very heavy here.

Hi ktlawson, I know what you mean its easy to get carried away without checking the rules and yes its OK on our lotties.  Mind you I think our council would let me plant anything within reason on the bit of lotty that the trees are on,we took it over more like a rescue plot. The  piece in question backs onto  our plot and had stood for  years neck high in  horseraddish docks  asbestos ( which might I add  I had to  wrap up and take to the  local tip where there is a bin for it. 5 trips 12miles each way) also the old shed  10x8 had stood for over 30years and had  been home to anything that was  homeless, I dare not  print what we found in there. Anyway its all gone now new fencing up weeds killed, and home to my new trees, a strawberry bed and 50 dahlia`s. thanks anyway.

Kea I am glad I saw your post yesterday...

We have been out and about searching out plum trees today, went to several nurseries/garden centres and ended up at Homebase. 

We bought 2 plum and a pear.  The Victoria was in much better condition than one we saw elsewhere and a whole £20 less at £9.99. :) :)

Thank you!

Glad to help Tulippa.