Recommendations for fruit tree purchase

Discussion in 'Retailer Feedback' started by Sian in Belgium, Jun 17, 2015.

  1. Sian in Belgium

    Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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    I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask...

    I am looking to buy some fruit trees (mainly 1 year maiden apples, on m106 rootstock) later this year. Delivery would be to UK, and I will run them over to Belgium. Not particularly unusual varieties, but not the sort you can buy on supermarket "specials".

    I've found a few suppliers on line, but I would value recommendations. The look on hubby's face, when I told him each tree would cost just shy of £30!!

    Any positive (or negative) recommendations gratefully received!
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2015
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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  3. wiseowl

    wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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  4. WeeTam

    WeeTam Total Gardener

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    All mine are from Aldi costing £4 each and doing well. Got a nashi tree from a nursery.
     
  5. Dips

    Dips Total Gardener

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  6. Sian in Belgium

    Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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    We have a few from Aldi (Braeburn, Opal, and sweet & sour cherries), but we now want to complete our collection :).
    Another factor is we have quite poor soil, so a more vigorous rootstock is required (all the "fertile" slots in the garden are already taken!)
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2015
  7. Sian in Belgium

    Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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    @JWK thanks for your list of suppliers. Very helpful!
    Orangepipin are currently holding my wish list, but their m106 rootstock are £26 each. I will check out the others via email, as they look a lot cheaper, and more the price I was expecting to pay... Ashridge trees seem to have a problem with their website. Either that, or they don't have any trees, on any rootstock, available this season?!! Blackmoor - don't seem to be able to select barerooted trees?

    @Dips thanks for the link - but they don't say anything about the rootstock that they use?

    @wiseowl thank you! Advantage of Maidstone is that I pass it on the way to the Chanel Tunnel!
    I think you might have solved my problem in one fell swoop, so to speak!!
     
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    • Dips

      Dips Total Gardener

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      They do i just looked on the brambley apple one the info is in the what is supplied tab :-)
       
    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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    • Sian in Belgium

      Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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      Ah yes, M26.... We don't want dwarfing rootstock though, we need semi-vigorous...
       
    • Sian in Belgium

      Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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      We have considered this, and decided against.

      I've grown a family tree before. I don't know if I was unlucky, but it was not easy to prune the tree to keep it balanced between the different varieties. Some of them grew much stronger than others, and one variety (the oldest) seemed to loose out completely in the "sap race", and barely grew at all. It was a pear tree, rather than an apple tree, but not a success...
      With 1/2 acre of land, I have the space for 4 more trees, and will be growing them in an orchard environment, so again, a more vigorous rootstock is more suitable.
       
    • Sian in Belgium

      Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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      Sorry, don't want to sound awkward, but having seen how dwarfing trees struggle in poor soil, both here and in the UK, I know that I need a stronger rootstock. Two trees literally died within 12 months, because they could not get their roots down quick enough.

      I will see how I get on with Keepers Nursery...
       
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      • Dips

        Dips Total Gardener

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        Ah sorry about that. I knew some were dwarf rootstock but didnt know they all were. Sorry
         
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        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          I can happily second the recommendation for Ashridge Trees - my Victoria plum tree and a whole load of other things came from them last year; nice healthy plants, excellent packaging and delivery, and superb service.
           
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          • Sian in Belgium

            Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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            My fruit trees are ordered!:hapydancsmil:

            I went with Keepers in the end. Their website worked, was easy to use, they had a good selection of M106 trees to choose from. I can collect any day when they are ready, even if the nursery is closed - perfect for me.
            Getting excited :yes:... :hapydancsmil:... :hapfeet:

            So pleased I was able to find a more reasonably priced option. When I told hubby the price in the first nursery I enquired with, he thought it was for all the trees, not just one!! (He's been slightly spoiled in that so far we have done ok with Aldi plants, which are less than 5 euro each.)

            ...just thought. He said something positive about a medlar tree. Always wanted one of those. Wonder if he would notice me slip another tree into the order.;)

            Edited to say:
            Had a chat with nursery about what was the best medlar, and rootstock, for my location - and order amended.
            (I've even 'fessed up to hubby!!)
             
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              Last edited: Jul 11, 2015
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