Any tips on planting any apple or fruit trees? Seen any bargains around? Recommend any specific varieties? Any considerations for pests (there’s a river at the end of my garden)?
If you’ve got your own please feel free to share pics too!
My main tip is that you need to be very, very patient.
Two trees that I planted 15 years ago have finally borne fruit, 3 cherries and about 20 pears!
They were bought from a garden centre, about 5 feet tall.
The fig that I grew around the same time as a 18 “ cutting is over 8 feet tall and has produced dozens of figs for several years. The cuttings grow easily and I have another half dozen in pots yet to fruit.
So I’d recommend a fig tree, especially as figs are expensive in shops.
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Azz we planted a couple of apple trees that are doing ok this year
As for ideas it can depend on your soil and also hows high you want them to grown. . if you do get some don’t forget you may well need a support of some sort and some soft rubber straps . Some years the trees need to “rest” and not produce so many apples ready for the next large crop. In the video a cut down of the support stake ( smack on the back of the hand")
allow space between trees as well
today we now have
Your local garden centre should be able to tell you which varities and time of planting. plant different varieties for cross pollination .
Also if possible install a water butt to the house downpipe so if the trees need watering the water temperature is normal not mains tap cold.
support pole
tree strap
plasic border edging
if this is any help.
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That’s a long wait Helen - I want to move somewhere warm at some point so doubt I will be here to reap the rewards 
They look good - how long did they take before bearing fruit?
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They need to get established first.
So the first couple of years (or a little longer). If they start to bear fruit then remove the fruit so the trees put more into the growing. It can also depend on what they are grafted onto. Then again how old is the apple tree when you buy it. In that pic/video the tag shows they were a 3 years old when we got them
Knuckle lump is where this was grafted on to another tree. This is a common practice
So there is no definate time ,it depends on the ground- the weather- the moisture in the ground- the sun shine - the variety of tree- where you plant it- have other plants taken the goodness out of the soil already. also how well you have prepared where you are putting - ie digging and turning the ground over. When digging the hole to put the tree in don’t forget add some suitable composite so make the hole large enough, plant the tree and water it well in
Oh the things I didn’t know I know.
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