Fruit Trees

How to choose fruit trees

Explore by variety in apple trees, pear trees, cherry trees and plum trees. The FAQs below cover when to plant, how to choose between bare root and pot-grown trees, which fruit trees suit small gardens and whether you need more than one tree for pollination.

When is the best time to plant fruit trees?

The best time to plant fruit trees is autumn or early spring. Bare root trees are planted between November and March during dormancy and should go in as soon as possible after arrival. Container-grown trees can be planted at any time, but autumn and early spring planting allows roots to establish before the summer growing season begins.

Do I need two fruit trees for pollination?

Whether you need two fruit trees for pollination depends on the variety. Apple and pear trees generally need a compatible partner from the same pollination group; cherries and plums have self-fertile varieties that crop well without a second tree. Check the individual product page for pollination requirements before buying.

What fruit trees are well suited to small gardens?

Fruit trees well suited to small gardens include columnar apple and cherry trees, patio plums and dwarf rootstock apple and pear trees. Columnar forms grow upright with minimal spread and suit narrow borders or large containers. Patio fruit trees on very dwarfing rootstocks stay compact enough for a courtyard or balcony.

What is the difference between bare root and pot-grown fruit trees?

Bare root fruit trees are lifted during dormancy between November and March and despatched without soil. They are better value for larger orders and establish well when planted promptly into prepared ground. Pot-grown trees are available year-round, establish at any time of year and suit smaller projects or gardeners who want to plant outside the bare root season.

How long before a fruit tree produces fruit?

Most apple, pear and cherry trees start cropping within two to four years of planting, depending on the rootstock and variety. Dwarf rootstock trees generally produce earlier than those on vigorous rootstocks. Bare root trees planted correctly in good soil can crop from their second or third growing season.