Planting apple tree position

I had a brain wave idea last night so threw it over to Sue for her opinion, dearn't do anything without her approval or i would be in very deep do doos.

In the picture below, the earth patch this end of the trellis work with a couple of plants in is where the 2 apple trees were and never did that much fruit wise.

So I said to Sue what about having these two bushes out (the big green one and the one next to it this side ) as they only put out leaves and take over the garden path. Instead put in stakes and wire between and grow apple trees there instead. Even a couple of shaped fancy paving slabs to walk on between them instead of the earth

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there are apple trees that are grown for this type of setup, so what do you think? A brainwave or what?

Initially Sue was non committal but coming around to the idea this morning.

I had thought about using the fence as a support ,but if the panel fell down!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by tumbleweed; Today at 09:39 AM.

Yes, those two definately need to come out. Your new apple treess will need lots of light and plenty of rain, if you leave those two bushes in the new apple trees will be starved of the two things they most need in their early days. I just re-read your post and see a mention of trellis work but comments below apply to both sites 'tho the site next to the trellis work is only big enough for one tree.


You already have a problem in that the apple tree roots will extend to the other side of the fence and who knows what the conditions will be like there (I assume it is your neighbours garden) you can't do much about that but you can definately help them get started by clearing the big green bush and the one next to it.


For proper fruiting you need to keep the base of the apple trees clear of everything, (no grass, no shrubs, no flowers,) this should be a circle equal to the diameter of the branches. Then if you apply any Growmore etc. it will go straight to the trees and not be 'stolen' by any grass, shrubs, flowers etc. For that reason I would suggest you don't put any slabs in between to wallk on.



I think you mentioned you were thinking of the modern smaller varieties which would go nicely in that space.

Pomona Fruits have a huge selection but you'll need to ring them to find the fully grown height as it's not given in their catalogue.


Cordon trees would fit nicely in your space but need a lot more work with pruning and I'm told they don't give such big crops 'tho I can't verify that as I've never grown top fruit that way.


Are you going to have one cooking variety and one eating variety. We have both, the 'cooker' is a Bramley but I don't know the name of the 'eater' as both were here when we moved in. Both are planted too close to the house so we've suffered with lack of irrigation and light as well.

Harvey the trellis work in the picture is where the trees were. Where those bushes to come out will be where new trellis or wire between posts will go. As for roots that big green bush already has a huge root going under the fence which is why it will be taken down. The new apple trees will be planted nearer the path not right up against the fence ,so roots should not be a problem.

AS for variety of apple tree that we shall be asking the people in the garden centre about, they have specialists we can get advice from, but will bear in mind your suggestion. Definitely up to Sue with making this decision.

Sue doesn't want huge tall trees anyway more like ones that spread sideways with training so easier to manage. Anyway that is what she is thinking about at the moment

OK got it for the new trellis, all sounds good to me, yes keep the trees close to the path.


Personly I'm not sure if a 'cooking' variety is really worth growing, if we had planted new I think two eating varities would be better. (But like I said the trees were here when we moved in)


Actually there were three trees but one (like yours) was producing hardly any fruit so I took it out and used the space for a water butt which is now used in the summer to water the other two trees if we get a drought. Apples need plenty of water especially when the fruit is set and ripening.


Hope you find what you want at the Garden Centre and the trees do well - with lots of TLC from you and Sue I'm sure they will

project apple tree start Day 1

Cut down the top of the big green bush and got the bits bagged up ready for the dump. Already a large area has opened up ,amazing how much room that bush took up




decided to have a go this afternoon at getting the tree out. Took me 3 hours and eventually with sons help we got it out. the roots were horrendous . That will be cleaned and chain sawed tomorrow. Got it out around 4.15pm eventually

well that is the trunk in the last photo cut up and already taken a car load to the dump.

day 2

Yet another trip to the dump completed this morning and attacked the other bush as well. Managed to get it out and just got to get the earth off the stump. still in bottom picture


apart from that the area is now ready to prepared for whatever digging over and fertilizer.



Just measured and it about 20ft cleared, so looks like just 2 apple trees

You see how nice and clean the garden looks well it was me doing the cutting and baggings of everything Barry cut off. The only thing I haven't touched is the root. I will now dig it over and leave for a while before deciding what to put in there. Definitely and apple and maybe a plum. I am looking at so called patio trees as with a bit of luck they will not grow too tall. I was thinking of espaliers but think they will take too much looking after.

I cleaned the earth off the root.

Update
Sue Just ordered the trees both apple, one is a "James Grieve" and the other is called " Fiesta " (both are M27 ). should be delivered in 5/7 days

now ready for apple trees