Apple trees have been a staple of British gardens and orchards for centuries and provide beautiful spring apple blossom with a rewarding autumn harvest. Whether you’re looking for crisp Bramley apples for cooking, sweet Golden Delicious for eating, or Dabinett cider apples for pressing, our trees are ideal for the garden, meaning...
Apple trees have been a staple of British gardens and orchards for centuries and provide beautiful spring apple blossom with a rewarding autumn harvest. Whether you’re looking for crisp Bramley apples for cooking, sweet Golden Delicious for eating, or Dabinett cider apples for pressing, our trees are ideal for the garden, meaning they’re easy to prune, spray and pick. The UK has the best climate on the planet for producing apples, which allows them to mature and develop excellent flavours and colours, plus they can be grown in both large orchards, small gardens, or even pots which makes them ideal for any outdoor space. All our apple trees for sale are carefully selected for their quality and ability to flourish in British conditions. Explore our carefully selected collection below today, and for further assistance please email us info@treesdirect.co.uk or call us on 01584 878878.
Apple trees have always been a strong favourite in British gardens, and for good reason. They provide both seasonal beauty and a lot of delicious fruit and since they’re deciduous trees, they change throughout the year to give delicate blossoms in spring and a lush green foliage in summer.
Thanks to grafting, modern apple trees for sale in the UK come in a variety of sizes and range from compact patio trees to full-sized trees suitable for large orchards. They also come in smaller, easier to keep forms and dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties are ideal for small spaces and can even be planted in pots. The larger varieties obviously work better in traditional garden settings. With proper care, apple trees can remain productive for decades which makes them a great long-term addition to your garden.
The UK is home to many apple varieties and each carry with it a distinct set of flavours, textures, and uses.
For cooking, the Bramley Apple Tree is the go-to choice as it produces tart apples that soften beautifully when baked. If you’re looking for a sweeter, edible variety, the Golden Delicious Apple Tree gives a fresh and crisp flavour, as does the subtle honey tones from the Christmas Pippin Apple Tree.
If you love making Cider, then the Dabinett Cider Apple Tree is well known for its rich tannins that create a well-balanced brew. Meanwhile, the Egremont Russet Apple Tree delivers a nutty flavour with firm flesh, making it a favourite among traditional apple enthusiasts.
If space is limited, the Cox’s Self-Fertile Apple Tree is an excellent choice, as it produces fruit without needing a second tree for pollination and will suit smaller spaces without compromise on longevity.
Why not? Apple trees provide more than just fruit. Not only do they enhance your overall garden aesthetics throughout the year, but in, they produce wonderful fragrant apple blossom that attracts pollinators and then produce ripe fruit which adds colour and interest to your garden the autumn.
Homegrown apples are fresher, tastier, and leave you less reliant on the store bought supermarket fruits. Unlike shop-bought apples, which may have been stored for months, homegrown varieties ripen naturally on the tree which results in better flavour and a truly organic produce.
And let’s not forget, Apple trees also benefit the environment. Their blossoms support pollinators, while fallen fruit provides food for birds and wildlife. Even in winter, their branches create shelter for insects which simply helps to promote a healthier garden ecosystem.
Apple trees thrive in the UK’s temperate climate since our mild summers and cool winters encourage fruit development. Many traditional British varieties, such as Bramley and Egremont Russet, are well-suited to fluctuating weather conditions so make ideal additions to your garden.
However, regional climate does play a role in fruit quality. Southern gardens often produce sweeter apples due to warmer temperatures, while hardier varieties perform well “up north”. Coastal locations in the Uk may require a certain element of wind protection, but with proper care, apples will still remain one of the most reliable and adaptable fruit trees you can plant.
And don’t forget about pollination. While some trees, like Cox’s Self-Fertile Apple Tree, can fruit alone, most require a second tree nearby for cross-pollination. In urban areas, neighbouring gardens or wild apple trees often provide sufficient pollination, but its still something to consider in in bigger gardens.
Apple trees are known to contribute to better air quality as they absorb carbon dioxide and filter out pollutants. Their deep roots stabilise soil and prevent erosion which makes them beneficial for both gardens and larger landscapes.
For an eco-friendly approach, using peat-free compost and avoiding chemical pesticides can help maintain a more natural growing environment. Companion planting with pollinator-friendly flowers also encourages a thriving orchard while reducing the need for artificial pest control.
Before planting, it’s important to choose the right apple tree for your space and needs. If you have limited room, dwarf apple trees like Scrumptious are a great choice, as they can be grown in pots or small gardens. Larger varieties, such as Bramley Apple Trees, require more space but will provide higher yields.
Pollination is also key—some trees, like Cox’s Self-Fertile, will fruit alone, but most apples need a compatible pollination partner. If you have space, planting two or more different apple varieties will improve fruiting.
Apple trees are best planted in autumn or early spring as this gives them time to establish strong roots before the colder weather sets in. If you’re planting in the ground, choose a sunny, sheltered location with well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, mix in compost, and position the tree so the graft union (the knobbly section on the trunk) sits above soil level.
For potted apple trees, be sure to choose a large container with good drainage and use loamy, well-draining compost. Keep an eye on moisture levels, as pots dry out faster than ground-planted trees.
Newly planted apple trees need regular watering for the first year, especially during dry spells. Once established, they require less frequent watering, except in the odd event when have extreme heat in the UK!
To feed, use a balanced fertiliser and apply it in early spring to help promote healthy growth. You can use a high potash feed in summer to help support fruit development. Mulching around the base in spring helps retain moisture and will suppress weeds, but keep mulch away from the trunk to prevent rot or other disease.
Winter pruning is essential for shaping apple trees and encouraging strong growth. For bush trees, remove any dead or crossing branches and aim to maintain an open-centre shape that allows light and air to reach the fruiting branches.
For trained forms, such as espaliers or cordons, summer pruning helps restrict growth and encourages fruiting spurs. Always use sharp, clean tools to prevent disease.
Apple harvest times vary by variety. Early apples ripen in late summer, while storage varieties like Bramley can be picked in autumn and stored for months. Fruit should come away easily when twisted from the branch.
In winter, its best to protect young apple trees from frost by applying a layer of mulch and wrapping pots in insulation. And in spring, check for late frosts, which can damage apple blossom, and use fleece coverings if needed.
By following these simple care steps, your apple tree will continue to thrive and provide you with rewarding and beautiful blossoms, plus fresh apples year after year.
Self-fertile varieties like Cox’s Self-Fertile Apple Tree or disease-resistant types such as Egremont Russet are ideal for beginners. They require minimal care and don’t need a second tree for pollination.
Not always. Some, like Cox’s Self-Fertile, fruit on their own. Others, like Apple Ashmeads Kernal, need a pollination partner from the same group or a neighbouring tree.
Autumn and early spring are best, allowing roots to establish before extreme weather. Container-grown trees can be planted year-round if watered properly.
Most trees start producing within 2–4 years, depending on the rootstock. Dwarf trees fruit sooner than full-size varieties.
Yes, dwarf varieties like Christmas Pippin or Golden Delicious grow well in large containers. Use well-draining compost and water regularly.
Prune in winter to shape the tree and encourage new growth. Summer pruning is best for trained forms like espaliers or cordons.
Possible causes include overwatering, poor drainage, or nutrient deficiency. A balanced fertiliser and well-draining soil can help.
Check regularly for aphids, codling moth, and apple scab. Encourage natural predators like ladybirds and use organic sprays if needed.
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