Where to buy apple trees to start an orchard

jeffwode

I've been thinking recently about planting a few acres of apple trees, maybe a mix of eating, cooking and cider varieties. I've looked around online and the only nurseries I can find seem to be aimed at gardeners and are REALLY expensive. Does anyone know where I could buy trees in large(ish) quantities?

Has anyone any experience or advice? I'd appreciate any comments or shared experiences. Thanks

Username John

I have heard a good few people recommend http://www.futureforests.net/
They're based in Cork.

Do a search on here for em - you will see they have been mentioned a few times.

I havent tried em myself yet, but i must do, as I must plant a few trees.

charityboy

irish seed savers in scarrif co clare ,they have a serious amount of varities ,got some down there last year ,paided 22euro a tree for them for reps,dont know if they do deals on large amounts worth a shout anyway

jeffwode

Thanks for info. I've heard of futureforests but I had it in my head that they were aiming at gardeners. I'll check them out.

Charityboy, I think €22 for a tree is pretty dear. What size was the tree and how old? Maybe I'm misguided but I thought they'd be less than that.

The latest information I can find is a 2005 Teagasc piece which gives the planting cost per hectare for an orchard at €7,500. Has anyone anything that's more up to date or does that sound about right? Thanks

charityboy

would not be sure of the age of the tree but they were small ,from 2 - 3 feet , had no choice as its the only place you can buy trees for reps 4 ,at the space i put in the trees at 5m apart and the area i covered 0.05 hectares i would be putting cost of trees only for a hectare would be around 7000 euro before planting also any idea how many years before i see an apple or two also those trees were potted they had dry root ones for 19 euro

Oldtree

The correct choice of root stock is very important when setting upi an orchard, as is knowledge of how to prune the trees. 2 types of pruning tip barers and spur barers. The organic center in leitrim have an orchard and may be able to point you in the direction of a course:

http://www.theorganiccentre.ie/

Seed Savers do reps, their varities are organic and collected irish varities: prices vary. I bought 6 for the garden through the post a number of years back and was happy with the plants.

http://store.irishseedsavers.ie/category_s/105.htm

i also bought some off future forests and their plants were good too.

You could approach your local nursery and they may do a deal on the varities you want.

jeffwode

Thanks Oldtree. Am I correct in assuming that all those varieties listed on Seed Savers are grafted on to a different root stock? What does M26, M116, etc mean?

I know how to prune a fruit tree, I used to help my father prune the trees in the garden. Although it might be different in practice for dwarf varieties.

SalmoTheLeaper

Hi there,

I looked into a good few places for trees myself last year and ended up going with talatonplants.co.uk they are a nursery from England & have a good mix of cooking, eating and cider apple varieties that you just cant find in Ireland. I got about a dozen cider varieties and have them planted in Sligo, I think you'll do well to beat their prices and variety selection (cider anyway). I also looked into getting apple trees from English's nursery in Wexford, their prices werent bad either but the selection was more like what you'd find in the supermarket and I was looking for something different. I did get strawberries and cane fruit off English's though, which have grown very well for me.

Oh I got m25 trees but there is a selection to choose from- they grow very large and wont bear fruit for several years yet, but should make a nice "traditional" orchard.

Postage over wasnt too much on top of the cost if i remember correctly.

Best of luck anyway!

Oldtree

quick details on rootstocks, probable Time to fruiting and planting distances here:

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_2a_apple.asp

It is worth taking your time when planting an orchard as it may well be around for 60 years or so if done right. I would be keen to taste any apples that I was planting so I would know what i was going to get.

Orchards require a good open windy site to blow away the bothers! so site choice and orientation is important.

Orchard trees need to be pruned to open up, so to speak, in the middle of the tree. Upturn your hand and streach out the fingers and that will give you an approximate shape to prune to. So two types of pruning, pruning for fruit and pruning to shape the tree.

blue5000

jeffwode wrote: »

Thanks Oldtree. Am I correct in assuming that all those varieties listed on Seed Savers are grafted on to a different root stock? What does M26, M116, etc mean?

I know how to prune a fruit tree, I used to help my father prune the trees in the garden. Although it might be different in practice for dwarf varieties.

The numbers relate to the rootstock. This determines how big the tree will grow. I think m26 is a small medium tree and 106 will be a larger tree, perhaps 20-30 ft high, so don't plant the bigger growing ones near a house. Also trees on small rootstock will fruit earlier. Gave a look here;

http://irishseedsavers.ie/how-to-order_apple-reps.html

fodda

You have to plant the variety of apple tree that will thrive where ever you location is, that is why Irish Seed Savers specialise in trees which are native to Ireland and the conditions we have here.

Happy Campers x 5

Try Englishs Fruit Co Wexford on google and talk to Paddy or Tom and you wont go wrong id say. Price wise anyway. They do good deals on bulk buying. Future Forrests are good too