
So, this post is a bit delayed as I actually planted my apple trees on the
Winter Solstice
1 2020. To set the scene, it was getting
dark and both of my children were scampering about getting cold and I felt the sense
of an imminent demand to go home. I’m pretty sure that the atmosphere was not conducive to a quality tree planting session but you know, it seems apt for 2020.
First things first, when you want to establish an orchard, the decision you must make is what
type of fruit you want and what varieties of those fruits are most useful for
your plans. I decided I wanted to grow apple trees - specifically varieties which will make good juice and cider. I also wanted trees which when mature will make quite large trees but small enough to allow me to grow a few different varieties on my tiny plot.
Surprising Fact No.1 - Apple trees aren't generally grown using their own roots!
Apple trees are often grown using the roots of another tree. It is the roots (and partly the variety of apple) that dictate the ultimate size and vigour of the tree. When an apple tree produces an apple its
seeds wont grow a new apple tree exactly the same as the parent tree
2. The
new tree would be a genetic mix between the parent trees which went to create
the apple. So what happens if you come across a tree that you really like
and want to grow another one? Well that's when rootstocks come
into the picture. You take a piece of wood from the tree you like (called the scion wood) and join
it to a rootstock (from a crab apple species or a species that has been developed in a horticultural research institute) that will produce a tree size and growth pattern that you
require.
The guidance from Natural England
3 when planting a Traditional Orchard is to use a rootstock that is strong
growing and will produce a large tree that will grow successfully amongst the meadow
grasses. These rootstocks allow the tree to live for many years and
eventually grow to ancient trees huge in size but also with dead and dying bits
which are great for wildlife.

The rootstock they recommend for this is called M25. It will create a tree with a height of about 6m when fully mature and it
will require spacing of 6m between each tree. I decided that due to my diminutive piece of land I should
go with a slightly less vigorous rootstock allowing me to have a few more trees
and the smaller size will make harvest a lot more straight forward as well. The
rootstock I eventually chose is called MM106
4
this will ultimately grow to a height of about 4m and requires planting spacing of 4m
too.
So back to my plans for my fruit. For the last 2 years I have been buying
in apples to press juice for my own cider making. I usually go for a mix of
cooking apples and eating apples which makes a decent East Coast Cyder. This
influenced my choice of apples to plant but I also wanted to plant some specific
cider apples as I have found that my cider would benefit from the
bitterness/mouth feel that a cider apple juice provides.
So the following is my variety list.
2 x Spartan (eating)
2 x Blenheim Orange (eating)
4 x Bramley (cooking)
4 x Howgate Wonder (cooking)
4 x Dabinett (cider)
Sorry for the long preamble (it is quite a broad subject)... With the light failing and the task
of digging the holes, planting and mulching the trees ahead of me I
had to ask another important question. What is the best way of planting an apple tree and have I got time to do it?
Ideally, you would dig a 1 metre
hole clearing out any perennial weed roots and loosening the soil on the sides and
bottom of the hole. You can then plant the sapling at the same height it was planted in the nursery. The other, much speedier, way of doing things, is to use a spade to cut a slit in the soil and then push the small rootstock into the
slit. Due to pressures i was under - of light and offspring - this is the method I
chose.
Now to prevent the trees having competition in the first couple of years a very
good idea is to mulch around the base of the tree. I managed to get hold
of a load of free straw which makes pretty good mulch. It will rot down
quite quickly and I will no doubt have to redress it several times a year but it
was free! I might eventually try and get some hardwood wood chip which
would last a lot longer.
The other bit of protection a new tree needs is from the local nibblers -
rabbits, hares, deer etc. I have used mostly 120cm plastic tree
guards. These I have connected to posts and allowed the trees to be
loose inside the tree guard. I'm hoping this will allow gentle swaying
which should produce a stronger root system.
As rain was coming in the next couple of days I didn't bother watering them in
but ordinarily that would be a good idea as it helps the roots make a good
connection with the soil.
Amazingly, I planted all 16 trees before light failed and before
the children became too bored/cold. Let's hope the trees settle in well
and they get a good start in the Spring. Now if only I could arrange a big Wassail5 party and throw mulled cider and
hang toast in the branches. I think that will probably have to wait till
after the pandemic.
(If you really want to know the best way of planting an apple tree - I recommend the following resources)
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/19007
https://www.suffolkbis.org.uk/biodiversity/projects/stog/advicenotes
https://www.theorchardproject.org.uk/guides-and-advice/
1 Monday, 21st December 2020↩
2 Just like us humans I suppose!↩
3 http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/19007↩
4 https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=359↩
5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassailing↩
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