Apple Tree Buying Guide
Apple trees hold a special place in many peoples hearts with many childhoods spent harvesting apples in the early Autumn. Have a read of our Apple tree buying guide for your own garden or even to gift to friends and family.
How to choose the right apple tree
There's something wonderfully satisfying about growing your own apples. From the first delicate blossom in spring to picking ripe fruit in late summer and autumn, an apple tree brings beauty, seasonal interest and the pleasure of a homegrown harvest to your garden.
Perhaps you're planting your first fruit tree, planning a small orchard or choosing a meaningful gift for someone who loves gardening. Whatever brings you here, choosing the right apple tree starts with understanding the variety, its eventual size and the growing conditions it needs.
Our apple tree buying guide will help you explore different apple varieties, understand rootstocks and pollination, and find a tree suited to your space. Whether you're buying an apple tree for your own garden or sending one as a thoughtful living gift, a little guidance can make all the difference.
Which apple tree variety should you choose?
Apple trees offer a wonderful variety of flavours, colours and uses. Some produce crisp, sweet apples that are delicious straight from the tree, while others are better suited to cooking, baking and preserving.
Before choosing, think about how you'd most enjoy using your harvest. Would you like fresh apples for everyday eating, fruit for homemade crumbles and pies, or a mixture of varieties that ripen at different times?
Dessert apple trees for eating fresh
Dessert apples are grown primarily for eating fresh. Their flavours range from crisp and refreshing to sweet, aromatic and gently sharp, making them a rewarding choice for families and gardeners who enjoy picking fruit straight from the tree.
Popular varieties include Royal Gala, Golden Delicious, Cox and Falstaff. Each offers its own character, from the sweetness of Gala to the distinctive aromatic flavour associated with Cox apples.
If you're choosing a dessert apple tree, consider its harvesting season, pollination requirements and resistance to common diseases. Some varieties are easier to grow in certain parts of Britain than others.
Cooking apple trees for pies, crumbles and preserves
If you enjoy baking, a cooking apple tree can be a particularly rewarding addition to your garden.
Bramley's Seedling is one of Britain's best-known culinary apples, valued for its sharp flavour and soft texture when cooked. Its generous fruit makes it a traditional favourite for apple pies, crumbles, sauces and preserves.
Bramley trees can grow vigorously, so selecting the right rootstock is especially important. Bramley's Seedling is also a triploid variety, which means it has particular pollination requirements that need to be considered before planting.
For a garden with room to grow, a Bramley apple tree can provide years of homegrown fruit for the kitchen.
Crab apple trees for blossom and wildlife
Crab apples are often chosen as much for their ornamental beauty as their fruit. Their spring blossom brings colour to the garden, while their small autumn fruits provide seasonal interest and can be used to make delicious jellies and preserves.
Many crab apple varieties are valuable to pollinating insects and garden wildlife. Some can also help pollinate nearby domestic apple trees, provided their flowering periods overlap.
A crab apple makes a lovely addition to a wildlife-friendly garden, and its association with love and renewal can also give it a special meaning when chosen as a gift.
Understanding apple tree rootstocks and sizes
One of the most important things to understand before buying an apple tree is its rootstock.
Most cultivated apple trees are grafted onto a separate root system, known as the rootstock. This controls how vigorously the tree grows and strongly influences its eventual height, spread and suitability for different gardens.
Two trees of the same apple variety can reach very different sizes depending on the rootstock they're grown on.
M27 rootstock for very small gardens
M27 is an extremely dwarfing rootstock, producing a compact apple tree that can be suitable for smaller gardens, patios and container growing.
When grown as a bush, an M27 apple tree typically reaches around 1.2 to 1.8 metres in height, although its eventual size depends on the variety, pruning and growing conditions.
Because M27 produces a relatively small root system, these trees need fertile soil, regular watering and permanent support. They're particularly well suited to gardeners who can give them consistent attention.
M26 rootstock for small and medium gardens
M26 is a dwarfing rootstock that produces a somewhat larger tree, typically reaching around 2.4 to 3 metres when grown as a bush.
It's a versatile choice for smaller gardens, trained fruit trees and some container-growing situations. It provides more growth than M27 while remaining manageable with suitable pruning and care.
M26 apple trees generally benefit from permanent support and regular watering, particularly while establishing.
MM106 rootstock for larger gardens and orchards
MM106 is a semi-dwarfing rootstock commonly chosen for traditional garden apple trees and small orchards.
When grown as a bush, trees typically reach around 3 to 4 metres in height, although individual varieties and growing conditions can influence their eventual size.
MM106 is well suited to gardeners who have room for a more substantial tree. It can provide a broader canopy and a traditional orchard appearance, with space for generous harvests as the tree matures.
Which apple tree rootstock is best for you?
As a simple guide, consider the following:
- M27: Extremely dwarfing, typically 1.2–1.8 metres tall. Suitable for very small gardens and carefully maintained containers.
- M26: Dwarfing, typically 2.4–3 metres tall. Suitable for smaller gardens, trained forms and some containers.
- MM106: Semi-dwarfing, typically 3–4 metres tall. Suitable for medium and larger gardens or small orchards.
These sizes are approximate for bush-trained trees. Soil, variety, pruning and local growing conditions can all affect the eventual height and spread.
For more compact options, explore our dwarf fruit trees. If you're looking for a more established specimen, browse our larger fruit trees for sale.
Do apple trees need another tree for pollination?
Pollination is one of the most important things to consider when choosing an apple tree, particularly if you only have space for one.
Many apple varieties need pollen from another compatible apple variety to produce a reliable crop. Bees and other pollinating insects transfer pollen between flowers, helping fruit develop after blossom.
Understanding self-fertile apple trees
Some apple varieties are self-fertile or partly self-fertile, meaning they can produce fruit without a second apple tree nearby.
These varieties are especially useful for smaller gardens. However, even self-fertile apples may produce better crops when another compatible variety flowers nearby.
If you're planting just one apple tree, check its pollination requirements carefully before buying.
Apple tree pollination groups
Apple varieties are divided into pollination groups according to when they flower in spring. Trees in the same or neighbouring groups are often suitable pollination partners, provided the varieties are compatible.
For example, an apple tree flowering in the middle of spring will generally need another compatible variety whose blossom appears at a similar time.
Crab apple trees can also be useful pollination partners, particularly in gardens where several varieties flower together.
Why Bramley apple trees need special consideration
Bramley's Seedling is a triploid apple variety. This means its pollen is generally ineffective for pollinating other apple trees.
For reliable cropping, a Bramley normally needs compatible pollen from another variety. In a planned planting scheme, two suitable non-triploid pollination partners are recommended so that the other trees can also pollinate one another.
If you're planning a small orchard, checking pollination groups before buying will help you choose varieties that work well together.
Choosing apple trees for different garden sizes
Apple trees for patios and small gardens
You don't need a large garden to enjoy growing apples. Compact trees on suitable dwarfing rootstocks can grow successfully in smaller spaces, including sunny patios and courtyards.
M27 and some M26 apple trees can be suitable for containers when given enough growing space and consistent care. Choose a generously sized pot with drainage holes and suitable compost, and remember that container-grown trees need more regular watering and feeding than those planted in the ground.
If you're short of space, you could also consider a trained apple tree, such as a cordon or espalier, which can be grown against a suitable wall or support.
Apple trees for medium and large gardens
With more space available, you can choose apple trees on more vigorous rootstocks and allow them to develop a broader, more traditional shape.
MM106 is a popular choice for medium and larger gardens, where a tree has room to establish a productive canopy.
Before planting, think about how its mature size will affect neighbouring plants, garden paths and nearby structures. Allowing enough space from the beginning makes future pruning and harvesting easier.
Planting several apple trees or creating an orchard
Growing several apple trees gives you the opportunity to enjoy different flavours, harvesting seasons and varieties.
A small orchard could combine a sweet dessert apple for eating fresh, a cooking apple for the kitchen and a later-ripening variety for autumn harvests.
Consider rootstock, spacing and pollination when choosing your trees. Selecting varieties that flower at compatible times and ripen across different months can make your orchard more productive and enjoyable.
If you're planning a larger garden project, explore our bulk tree deals or contact our team to discuss suitable quantities and planting options.
Choosing an apple tree as a meaningful gift
An apple tree is a gift that grows with the years. Its spring blossom marks the return of a new growing season, while each harvest offers another opportunity to enjoy the tree and remember the occasion it was given.
Apple trees have long been associated with love, abundance, wisdom and renewal. Their connection with nourishment and growth makes them particularly meaningful for new homes, birthdays, anniversaries and important family milestones.
Apple trees for anniversaries and celebrations
Fruit and flowers are traditionally associated with the fourth wedding anniversary in Britain, making an apple tree a particularly fitting living gift for four years together.
For a golden wedding anniversary, a Golden Delicious apple tree can offer a gentle connection to fifty years of marriage, with golden fruit returning as the seasons pass.
A crab apple tree can also be a lovely choice for celebrating love and connection, combining beautiful blossom with seasonal fruit and wildlife interest.
Apple trees for gardeners and food lovers
If you're choosing an apple tree for someone who loves cooking, a Bramley can bring the pleasure of homemade pies, crumbles and preserves.
For someone who prefers fresh fruit, a dessert apple such as Gala or Golden Delicious could be a thoughtful alternative.
Before choosing, consider the recipient's garden size, available sunlight and experience with fruit trees. A compact variety may be more suitable for a smaller garden, while someone with plenty of outdoor space might enjoy a more substantial orchard tree.
Browse our apple tree gifts to explore varieties for different occasions and recipients.
When is the best time to plant an apple tree?
Autumn and winter are generally excellent times to plant apple trees, particularly while they're dormant. Planting during the cooler months allows roots to begin establishing before the demands of spring growth.
Container-grown apple trees can also be planted at other times of year, provided the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged and you can keep them watered during establishment.
Choose a sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil and some protection from strong winds. Avoid planting in areas where water collects or where late spring frosts regularly settle, as these can damage delicate blossom.
Remember that apple trees are deciduous. During autumn they naturally lose their leaves and enter dormancy, so a tree arriving without foliage in winter is not necessarily unhealthy.
How to care for your new apple tree
Watering and feeding
Newly planted apple trees need regular watering while their roots establish. Water thoroughly after planting and pay particular attention during warm, dry periods in the first few growing seasons.
Container-grown apple trees generally need more frequent watering, especially during summer when they're producing new growth and developing fruit.
An appropriate fruit tree fertiliser can help maintain healthy growth, while a layer of organic mulch around the base can help retain soil moisture and reduce competition from weeds. Keep mulch clear of the trunk.
Pruning your apple tree
Pruning helps maintain a healthy shape, encourages productive growth and allows sunlight and airflow through the branches.
Free-standing apple trees are commonly pruned during winter while dormant. Trained forms, including cordons and espaliers, often need summer pruning to help maintain their shape and control growth.
The correct approach depends on the tree's age, variety and growing form, so always check the guidance for your particular tree before pruning.
Looking after your apple tree through the seasons
Apple trees have a natural rhythm throughout the year. Spring brings blossom and fresh leaves, summer supports fruit development, and late summer or autumn brings the harvest, depending on the variety.
As temperatures fall, the leaves change colour and gradually drop, allowing the tree to rest during winter.
Young apple trees may take several growing seasons to produce substantial crops. Their fruiting performance will also depend on pollination, pruning, nutrition and seasonal weather.
For practical guidance on planting, feeding and pruning, read our apple tree care guide.
Frequently asked questions about buying apple trees
What is the best apple tree for a small garden?
Apple trees on dwarfing rootstocks such as M27 or M26 are often suitable for smaller gardens. Their compact growth makes them easier to manage, although they still need suitable soil, watering and support.
Can I grow an apple tree in a pot?
Yes. Many apple varieties can grow successfully in containers when grafted onto suitable dwarfing rootstocks. Choose a large pot with drainage, provide regular watering and feeding, and check whether the tree needs permanent support.
Do I need two apple trees to produce fruit?
Not always. Some apple varieties are self-fertile, while others need pollen from a compatible variety flowering nearby. Existing apple or crab apple trees in neighbouring gardens may provide suitable pollen, but it's worth checking before relying on them.
How long does an apple tree take to produce fruit?
This depends on the variety, rootstock and age of the tree when planted. Dwarfing apple trees may begin fruiting relatively young, while more vigorous varieties can take longer. Newly planted trees also need time to establish before producing reliable harvests.
What is the difference between an eating apple and a cooking apple?
Dessert apples are generally sweeter and intended for eating fresh, while culinary apples tend to be sharper and are particularly useful for cooking and baking. Some varieties can be enjoyed in both ways.
Will an apple tree arrive with leaves and fruit?
Not necessarily. Apple trees are deciduous and naturally lose their leaves during autumn and winter. Blossom appears in spring, while fruit develops and ripens later in the growing season. The appearance of your tree will depend on when it's delivered.
Find the right apple tree for your garden or gift
Whether you're planting your first apple tree, creating an orchard or choosing a meaningful gift for someone special, the best choice is one that suits the growing space and the years ahead.
Think about the apples you'd most enjoy harvesting, the size your tree will eventually reach and the growing conditions available. With a little planning and care, an apple tree can become one of the most rewarding additions to a garden.
Explore our apple trees for sale for garden planting, or browse our apple tree gifts to find a variety that carries a little extra meaning.
For more help choosing trees, visit our tree and plant buying guides or explore our fruit tree buying guide to discover other varieties suited to your garden.