Choosing an apple tree variety

[@aarons8295]

Awesome tour of your trees. I agree everyone should have an apple tree in their yard

[@alexwhittaker9877]

I loved this video. Made me laugh out loud when you took a good old bite out of that Spartan! :)

[@WilliamThePayne]

You've convinced me. We're to going to get two small apples trees now for the front garden and try them in big pots.

[@theallotmentkitchengarden3694]

I am waiting for a Howgate Wonder to be delivered for planting this winter to add to my collection. I already have four stepovers, and one dwarf red flesh apple tree. Russets are my favourites for eating. Would love to have more space to grow more varieties!

[@naomimcshea1005]

You have hugely inspired me ! And I , after many months of dithering over varieties have just ordered 11 Apple trees and 3 plums! I aim to create a mini orchard in my field... pears next year hopefully. I am also planting a little woodland and shelter belt which should grow up nearby it to make the plot ideally sheltered. I'm so excited and have so much to look forward to. Ashmeads kernel is among them!

[@yesihavereadit]

Grafting, have more than one variety on a tree, I have 4 and am adding more , it's surprisingly easy.

[@chrisp4170]

Great video again, Dave!

[@rallekralle11]

i've grafted and planted a few apple trees this year. mostly old swedish varieties, excited to see how they do.

[@anssinisula2855]

Stor klara Astrakan 🙂👌,growing well also with own roots ! Tested 🙂, "Arvid" Tynnelsö also nice old swedish apple

[@justlaughatlife8461]

I’ve got a mini apple orchard on my allotment with a mini wildflower meadow underneath and shortly followed with a bit of luck with a honey bee hive I’ve got a secure fence around it with a gate and padlock no scrumping haha 😛

[@SiggyPony]

Once I own a property I'll definitely plant apples, and also quince. Quince is the best :) That said once I lived at a house with a apple tree and its apples were wonderful.

[@suewright1299]

Another really great video, thanks Dave. I first thought the Spartan ..."all dark coloured fruit and veg is good for you". However, after listening to all you had to say about the Ashmead's Kernel, it really sounds delicious! I know one thing, I couldn't arf do with an 🍎 right now. ☺️ Very many thanks indeed

[@glendabarr7704]

Go for the Ashmead's, Sue! It is simply spectacular, and makes most apples seem tasteless.

[@suewright1299]

@@glendabarr7704 Really Glenda! Ok then, if you can recommend it that well then that's the one I'll go for. We haven't done anything this summer what with Covid, but it's one to look ahead to next year! Very many thanks for your advice. ☺️

[@pollywaffledoodah3057]

Do you ever wassail your lovely apple trees? It's an ancient British custom, to bless your trees and to give thanks for the harvests past and for those to come. It's a great community gathering for your family and neighbours to get together. I don't know if your scientific side would approve of this old pagan ritual - but it is a charming custom, and a real hoot! Apples seem to thrive when you wassail them - and it's a good excuse to drink the trees' health with lots of warm cider by lantern light!

[@geoffreyjones6019]

Great video, thank you (I have serious garden envy :)). I’d just like to add that if planting a dwarfing variety, e.g. one on an M27 or M9 rootstock, it will need more looking after than those in Dave’s garden - permanent staking and watering during dry periods throughout its lifetime. From experience I’d recommend an M26, semi-dwarfing, rootstock for a smaller garden, as you can forego the aforementioned staking and watering after a couple of years, apple trees grafted on it only grow 8’ - 10’ and it can be kept more compact via pruning if required, and you get a decent crop of apples.

[@runefagereng6023]

So now I want an apple tree, as well. ;)

[@nickmclaren3898]

Have you considered thinning your fruits for even bigger and tastier apples? It would be a pretty big job with so many trees so I can understand why you wouldn't. Also, for anyone reading the comments, it's important not to build mulch up against the bark as it can rot the bark and potentially kill the tree or introduce disease, always leave a gap around the base. If you inherit an old apple tree which isn't on a rootstock then it's important the 'root flare' 'root collar' 'root crown' (lots of videos on KZbin) is not buried and is above ground for the health and longevity of the tree, and this should really go for any tree you plant. Believe me, I've had to do this to almost every tree we inherited when we moved house and the difference in health to every tree is remarkable. Thanks very much for the video.

[@karenannaluisa3370]

At 12:48 min you'll find the list of recommended apples. Dear Dave, could you maybe enlargen the list or put it in the decription as well? Thx! P.S.: Great video by the way! 😊 Living not in GB it inspires me to look for some of your varities and for local ones as well! Thx!

[@davegoulson6831]

I did think the font was a bit small, but my primitive video editing software wouldn't let me change it! Will add to the description.

[@kingjames4886]

thank you for preserving these old heirloom varieties. unfortunately most of the old heirloom apples aren't hardy enough or have too late of a harvest window for my climate :/

[@markveganism5003]

Just purchased a James grieve apple tree ..this was recommended by a lady who owns one and said the apples are her favourite...looking forward to its journey

[@blueberry3601]

Thanks for another great video, Dave. As someone who has been growing apples for several years, one thing I would strongly suggest that people do before purchasing apple trees is to thoroughly research a variety's susceptibility to diseases. Speaking from experience, it can be heartbreaking if you get it wrong after waiting 2-3 years for your first apples. For example, Braeburn and Spartan are prone to the disease, scab. With Braeburn also mildew liable .

[@davegoulson6831]

Good points, some of mine do get a bit of scab, but never very much thankfully.

[@blueberry3601]

@@davegoulson6831 50+ apple trees over 30' tall in spring would be a sight to behold!

[@cosimakrueger-cunningham8103]

Thank you for the excellent tutorial! 🍎🍏💖

[@davegoulson6831]

You are so welcome!

[@crizzlepb7670]

wow apples ,i like tht ,i wish i cn pick apple

[@NotoriousNorton]

Hi Dave great video and I’m hooked to get my own orchard going. My land borders a stream and in the winter the lower ground can be very sodden, can you recommend a good eating variety that will be ok through the wetter winters we get here on the south coast

[@davegoulson6831]

I don't think any fruit tree would thrive in waterlogged soil, but some goat willow would love it and be good for the bees!

[@TheUntypicals]

Thought you might list the apples in the description

[@karenannaluisa3370]

12:48 you'll find it ... very tiny

[@suewright1299]

@@karenannaluisa3370 Well spotted Anna, though being able to read it is quite another matter 😂

[@simontrigg9059]

Very interesting and informative video.I'm fortunate to live in Somerset with plenty of apple orchards nearby.Would I be right in thinking that the flavour is determined by the soil,regardless of the variety?

[@alisonburgess345]

Wow - you mustn't have codling moth in the UK. It's a hideous apple pest in Australia - I'm gonna have to get some pheromone traps for them later on when my five trees start fruiting. They are all so different looking - about 3 years old. You're very lucky with your apples - well done!

[@davegoulson6831]

We do have codling moth in UK, I get the odd apple affected, but only maybe 1 in 50. Do you have earwigs, they help to keep codling moth under control by eating the eggs.

[@alisonburgess345]

@@davegoulson6831 Thanks! Got lots of earwigs so shall direct them to the apples.

[@AnnSimpsonKittyCatPuss19]

That's it 'with nail and I' that's who you remind me of, lol

[@thuntz29]

What do you do with all the leftover apples Dave?

[@honeychurchgipsy6]

Great video chock full of good advice - just one gripe - as a Cox's Orange Pippin fanatic I always look forward to this time of year when the Cox's will be in the shops - best before Xmas imo!! (you said we get the same varieties in the shops all year - sorry - lol!!). Most of the varieties you suggest have been on my list of apple trees to consider for some time: which makes me feel a bit more confident about choosing perhaps an older variety - just got to make a decision!!

[@davegoulson6831]

It is very hard to decide if you only have room for one or two!

[@honeychurchgipsy6]

@@davegoulson6831 - yes isn't it!!! I would really like a heritage breed but due to my garden conditions (small and lacking in air circulation) I think I might actually go for one of the newer ones - I like a sweet but sharp/aromatic apple and it would need to be self fertile. Don't mind a smallish apple - isn't there one called Scrumptious?? Sounds good to me - any knowledge of this??

[@geoffreyjones6019]

@@honeychurchgipsy6 Apologies as I’ve only just watched the video and I’m sure you’ve long since bought your tree but the Red Windsor prof Goulson mentions is a newer variety (Cox is one of its parents) and a better apple than scrumptious (IMO anyway!) I’d also like to add that the Ribston Pippin, also featured in the video, is believed to be one of Cox’s OP’s parents.

[@honeychurchgipsy6]

@@geoffreyjones6019 - thanks for replying and no I am still procrastinating - lol!! I will check out Red Windsor - thanks - I'm currently thinking of Winston (self fertile/partially sf?) because the apples are small which I like, it crops late - again good for me as I also grow soft fruit (gooseberries, blackcurrants, loganberries) that ripen in summer - so nice to have something to enjoy later on - and Winston keeps well too apparently - so I can have great apples in the winter. Any feelings about Winston?

[@geoffreyjones6019]

@@honeychurchgipsy6 You're very welcome. Winston's a nice apple and if you want a good keeper I think it would definitely be a decent variety to go for.

[@samantha9313]

When do I fertilise my orange cox pipin tree? Living in North UK

[@fhenstanley566]

Hi can you help me to choose the best mini apple tree m27 Thank you

[@anssinisula2855]

Fine video 🙂👌

[@davegoulson6831]

Thanks!

[@TheSyrret]

Interesting bit about cross-pollination - can crab apple trees be used to pollinate eating/cooking apple trees? Also, we have two large apple trees (one eating & one cooking) which have not produced much fruit in the last two years - they must be about 40 years old, so do you think they are past it and need replacing? Many thanks for your help.

[@lynnfomison3935]

I have apple trees of well over 50 even 60 years still cropping well. Old trees are very valuable wildlife habitats so do keep your old girls. Try and ascertain why they are not cropping so well. How are neighbours trees doing? Have you been getting late frosts? Maybe it’s a pollination problem... do you have other good plants for bees in Spring? Sallows? Red Currant,. If you have the space squeeze in a few cordons of different varieties and that may aid cross fertilisation

[@davegoulson6831]

It shouldn't be the age. Crab apples can act as pollinators, but of course only if they flower at the same time - maybe check the flowering time next spring, and see if there are any other apples in flower nearby at the same time.

[@TheSyrret]

@@lynnfomison3935 Thanks for the suggestions. Neighbours' trees had more apples than ours did this year and last. We do have lots of bee-friendly spring flowers, and previous years have been fine. Squeezing in a few cordons of different apple varieties is a good idea - I'll see what I can do. Thanks.

[@TheSyrret]

@@davegoulson6831 Thanks for replying. We have one crab apple which is an ornamental variety (planted by previous house owners). Can't remember now the order in which the crab, eating and cooking trees flower - will have to be more observant next year! Next month I intend to plant another tree that, ideally, will benefit both pollinators (flowers) and birds (fruit). I'm now thinking that an edible crab apple might be a good choice to help with cross pollination. Since you say the age of the trees shouldn't be an issue, think that next year I will give them a good feed and more water (since they are in a very dry area). Again, thanks for your help.

[@peterperigoe9231]

Hi Dave, Great Video, thanks. I planted 15 cider apple trees of different pollination groups all on MM106 root stock, in early 2016. How come my 3 Dabinett are not growing a vigorously as the rest? And what root stock and age was your Dabinett? I also have a very exposed site and can loose my apple blossom in a storm. I want to plant 5 more trees as a wind break, are there any apple varieties that are particularly suitable to use as a wind break?

[@oliveroldfield9197]

Hi Dave, love your videos! You've got me into starting to make cider :) We have an apple tree in our garden that we cannot identify. So far as of the time of this comment, 18 Jul, we have harvested around 20kg of apples from the tree. Please can you help me identify the variety? I can send any information or pictures of the tree required.

[@syedjameel6877]

What is best quality i can grow in the part of kashmir in asia

[@MN-po4cg]

I am from pakistan I want to grow apple tree how I can find it

[@evanswoolfe]

Hi there I really liked this video. I am trying to find a few of these varieties including Ashmead’s Kernal, Howgate wonder, Apple Sunset, Rosemary Russett and D'Arcy Spice to put into an informal small orchard in my back garden which can take a maximum off five trees. I am trying to find Bush type trees on a dwarfing rootstock which I gather would typically be a M26 rootstock, however I cantle find anything at specialist growers near me in Dorset. Do you have any advice? Many thanks. Harvey

[@nickmclaren3898]

If you haven't already tried them then Keepers Nursery, Ashridge Nurseries, Blackmoor Nurseries or Walcot Nursery have some or all of those varieties. Keepers are most likely to grow all on your list, although you might have to wait until next season as some of them could be sold out now.

[@CalderTrains]

Hi Dave Have you ever grown Cerinthe major purpurascens, a great bee plant, I've ordered some more seed

[@davegoulson6831]

Yes, but it doesn't seem to thrive in my garden :(

[@CalderTrains]

Ahh, interesting

[@honeychurchgipsy6]

@Edward Evans - how strange that I should see your comment - as I currently have this lovely plant growing in a pot outside my back door!! It has self seeded and is actually flowering - at the end of November!! I find they are pretty hardy and easy to grow (although, as everything is in containers in my garden my compost is generally pretty rich). Also, my garden is very sheltered and on the South coast.

[@CalderTrains]

@@honeychurchgipsy6 I am in Yorkshire you see, so it will be new for me.

[@honeychurchgipsy6]

@@CalderTrains - try growing it in a largish container in a sheltered part of the garden - it should thrive - they self seed and just seem to take off once they decide to - lol!! Also, they seem pretty disease free: due to the shelteredness of my back yard I have trouble with mould type diseases - had to get rid of my lovely, Ukrainian, thornless Loganberries last year due to cane blight, and my roses suffer from black spot too!! But - the Cerinthe seem healthy!!

[@deelaura7140]

😊🥰

[@andyandyfrogy1113]

What distance to plant M25?

[@davegoulson6831]

Mine are about 10 m apart

[@marystuart4497]

How to buy apple tree seeds of this kind? Mail me some seeds

[@davegoulson6831]

Apples do not breed true from seed - you need to buy young trees, or learn to graft them yourself