Buying 1 Year Old Apple Tree's

[bharper1]

Hi Guys, im looking to buy some 1 year old apple trees to train into espaliers. Does anyone know of a good supplier specifically for this? Plus i was hoping to get them now as pot grown as i dont want to wait until autumn

[sarraceniac]

Hi Guys, im looking to buy some 1 year old apple trees to train into espaliers. Does anyone know of a good supplier specifically for this? Plus i was hoping to get them now as pot grown as i dont want to wait until autumn

Why not bharper? Bare root are a lot cheaper than pot grown and will not be further behind. The only thing you would have to gain is you can start work in warm weather.

[bharper1]

Its just me being impatient i guess After looking around some more it looks like i will probably have to wait until the autumn and buy bare rooted i think.

I have found http://www.keepers-nursery.co.uk/ which seem to sell quite a few 1 year old trees on the MM106 rootstick which they recommend for espaliers. Anyone bought anything from them before? there trees ok?

[littlemark]

Big drawback with buying pot-grown trees is that the nurseries don't generally deliver (for obvious reasons). Collection from the nursery can add to the already high cost of these trees. Bare root maidens are the most cost effective, and planting out a year old pot grown tree at this stage of the season won't give you much benefit in terms of growth.

Keepers are well regarded. Some more nurseries here: The Cider Workshop | Orchards | Suppliers

Cheers, Mark

[adrian901]

Maiden Apple trees

I would take a look at the apple trees here. I get all my fruit trees from them and, although I agree with comments about bareroot stock, if you want pot grown they do deliver to Leeds so they might get to you as well.

Having said which.... to make an espalier, you are going to have to prune your maiden back to no more than 60cms. Your 1 year old pot grown tree won't be 1 year old any more (it was when it was potted up this spring) and it will be much woodier than one that will first be ready in November. Woody plants produce new growth less readily that younger ones so I think you will get an espalier quicker if you buy a bareroot maiden this autumn.

Good luck