Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi,
Since apple trees seem to be the topic of conversation can anyone help with regard to selecting an apple tree for our front garden to be vigorous to hide the street lamp. Other apples in the vicinity are a crab and Falstaff. Which root stock M25 or M26 and to what height and spread will they go. We aren't too woried about picking the top apples since the blackbirds can have them!
Preferably we would like a Bramley - other trees near by are an acer and an unidentified(!) both well pruned by the previous owner who seemed to have liked lollipop trees.
Would welcome any ideas.

Thanks
Hilary

Oh dear, been down this lane in the archives.

If you want a Bramley Apple tree and fruit, you will need at least two other apple tree varieties in flower at the same time in the vicinity. The Bramley is a triploid, which means its own pollen is no good to set fruit, it needs the pollen of two other varieties nearby.

If you just want to hide a street lamp, go for a conifer.

valmarg

Hello Hillary, Just off the top of my head, 30 odd years ago I planted a Bramley at Mothers house along with a James Greive,Worscester pearmain and Cox's orange pippin. they have all fruited well especially the Bramley. They were on m 26 I think that would be the mid size tree 12-14 foot but for sveral years now the pruning has been neglected and I reckon the Bramley is getting on for 20 foot. hope this helps...paul.

I see Johnboy gives m 26 as max 12 foot. he's probably right. see his earlier post in apple pollination...paul.

Hilary

If you want the best cooking apple there is then plant a Bramley. It will not hide the street lamp for another 20 years or so and then only for 6 months in the year - always assuming that a new taller lamp hasn't been installed by then. They can grow to well over 12ft on M26 - mine has just about reached this height even in the relatively poor conditions for apples in my damp garden in North Scotland. It is the strongest growing of all the apples I have planted. Great blossom in Spring so well placed in a front garden. The nearby crab will be a good polinator.

Good luck - be adventurous