Mature fruit trees are an excellent addition to any garden and are suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners, plus the time taken to see fruit production is greatly reduced meaning you’ll get to enjoy delicious home-grown fruit sooner. The weather conditions in the UK are optimal for growing fruit and the...
Mature fruit trees are an excellent addition to any garden and are suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners, plus the time taken to see fruit production is greatly reduced meaning you’ll get to enjoy delicious home-grown fruit sooner. The weather conditions in the UK are optimal for growing fruit and the beauty of buying mature trees is that the well-established root systems and already established structures mean they are primed to thrive in gardens and orchards of all sizes. Whether you’re after crisp apples, juicy cherries, rich plums, or aromatic quinces, our mature fruit trees for sale offer reliable harvests without the long wait. Explore our carefully selected collection below today, and for further assistance please email us info@treesdirect.co.uk or call us on 01584 878878.
Mature fruit trees are a rewarding choice for anyone wanting to enjoy homegrown produce without having to wait multiple seasons for the fruit to appear. These established trees bring immediate presence to your garden and often begin cropping in their first season and since the root systems are already well developed, this helps the tree settle quicker and perform more reliably once planted. For gardeners looking to create an instant orchard or simply enjoy seasonal fruit with minimal delay, mature trees offer a practical and satisfying solution.
Unlike younger saplings that may take several years to produce fruit, mature trees have a head start. They’re ideal for anyone wanting fast results, whether that’s to enjoy fresh apples in the autumn or to simply introduce a more structured, established look to a new space. Mature fruit trees are also less prone to transplant shock thanks to their resilience, which makes them particularly well suited to changeable UK weather. Once planted, they tend to establish quickly and reward you with both foliage and fruit from the outset.
Our range of mature fruit trees includes several well-loved varieties and are all carefully selected for their performance, flavour, and suitability to British gardens. The Cox’s Self Fertile Apple Tree is a popular choice for smaller gardens thanks to its ability to fruit without a pollination partner as well as producing crisp, aromatic apples which can be eaten straight from the tree. If you’re looking for something larger and more traditional, the Howgate Wonder is known for its impressive size and generous yield, while the Egremont Russet Apple Tree brings a nutty, heritage flavour to the garden that remains unmatched in taste and character.
Cherry trees also feature in our mature fruit selection. The Stella cherry is a self-fertile variety with sweet, dark fruit and attractive spring blossom. It’s an excellent all-rounder and performs well even in modest-sized gardens. For something a little different, the Cherry Morello offers sharper, more tangy fruit that’s ideal for cooking and making preserves, plus it also tolerates shadier spots better than most making it a versatile option for trickier garden areas.
If plums are more your style, the Victoria Plum Tree remains a firm favourite with gardeners across the UK. It’s reliable, easy to grow, and produces abundant crops of reddish-purple fruit that can be enjoyed fresh or used in jams and crumbles. Finally, the Vranja Quince Tree stands out as a more unusual but equally valuable addition. It has fragrant, golden fruit that can be used in cooking and jellies, and the tree itself adds charm with soft pink blossoms and bold, upright growth.
Mature fruit trees offer more than just the fruit itself. They help define the space around them and bring shade, colour, and year-round interest. Many of them are attractive to local wildlife, bees and other pollinators, especially in spring when their flowers are in full bloom. Growing your own fruit is also a simple way to become more self-sufficient, whether that’s harvesting apples for the kitchen or enjoying cherries straight from the branch. With the right care and planting location, mature fruit trees settle in quickly and continue to perform for years and will offer both beauty and practical value to your garden.
Mature fruit trees are well suited to a variety of garden types, from kitchen plots to larger orchard-style spaces. With good drainage, adequate sunlight, and a bit of shelter from strong winds, these trees perform excellently in the ever changing British weather conditions. Whether you’re planting one tree in a sunny border or several to build a more productive space, mature fruit trees provide an instant impact that grows stronger with each passing season.
Mature fruit trees bring an instant sense of structure and purpose to any garden, but you still need a thoughtful approach when it comes to planting and ongoing care, however, because these trees are already well-developed, they do settle in quickly if given the right conditions from the start.
Before planting, it’s important to consider where the tree will sit within your garden. Mature apple trees like the Cox’s Self Fertile and Egremont Russet Apple Tree benefit from open, sunny positions where air can circulate freely through the canopy. Plum and cherry trees also prefer full sun and well-drained soil, though the Cherry Stella can cope in slightly more sheltered spots. If your space is a little more limited, the Howgate Wonder Apple Tree is a great option with good fruit potential without becoming unmanageable.
The ideal time to plant your tree is between late autumn and early spring while the tree is still dormant. This helps to reduce stress and allows the roots settle a little before active growth begins. Choose a location with free-draining soil and dig a hole that’s wider than the root ball ensuring you allow room for the roots to spread. Enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure and set the tree so the base of the trunk sits at ground level. Backfill with the original soil, firm it gently, and water thoroughly to help the soil settle around the roots.
Newly planted mature trees need consistent watering during their first year, especially through dry periods. Water deeply at the base to encourage strong root growth and avoid wetting the foliage. A layer of mulch around the base will help retain moisture while at the same time regulating soil temperature and suppressing weed growth.
You should feed the tree with a balanced fruit tree fertiliser in early spring in order to support healthy growth and fruit development. In the second year, a top-up feed after flowering can help boost cropping but be sure to avoid overfeeding as this can lead to excess leafy growth at the expense of fruit.
Mature trees benefit from regular pruning to maintain shape, airflow and productivity. For apples and plums, prune your tree in winter to remove any dead or congested wood and to shape the tree for even light distribution. Cherries, including the Cherry Morello Tree, should be pruned in summer to minimise the risk of disease. Quince trees such as the Vranja Quince respond well to light shaping and removal of crowded growth once a year.
Keep an eye on common pests like aphids and caterpillars. Most issues can be handled without chemicals by encouraging natural predators into the garden. A well-positioned and well-maintained mature tree will reward you with strong crops and a beautiful, long lasting feature in your garden for many years to come.
Mature fruit trees offer immediate impact and typically begin producing fruit much sooner than young saplings. Their root systems are already well established, which means they settle in quickly and are less vulnerable to early setbacks. For gardeners looking to create structure or enjoy a harvest without years of waiting, they’re a practical and rewarding choice.
Most mature fruit trees will begin to fruit within the first season after planting, especially if they’re given the right growing conditions. Trees such as the Cox’s Self Fertile Apple Tree or Victoria Plum are known for their reliability and can often provide a modest crop even in the first year, with better yields as they become fully established.
While these trees are already well developed, they still need regular watering and feeding in the first year to help them adjust. Once settled, they require much less intervention, though annual pruning and occasional fertiliser will keep them in top condition. With a little attention, they’ll continue to thrive and fruit reliably for many years.
Mature trees are best planted directly into the ground, where their roots have space to expand. That said, if you have limited space, some Apple trees such as the Egremont Russet can be grown in a large, deep container for a few years, provided they’re well watered and fed. Eventually, they’ll benefit from being planted into open soil.
Late autumn through to early spring is ideal, as this is when the tree is dormant and focused on root development. Planting during this window helps minimise transplant shock and gives the tree time to settle before the growing season begins. As long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged, planting can be done right through winter.
Some mature fruit trees are self-fertile, including the Cox’s Self Fertile and Stella Cherry Tree, meaning they don’t need a partner to produce fruit. Others, such as the Howgate Wonder, benefit from cross-pollination with a compatible variety nearby to ensure a heavier crop. It depends on the specific tree and your planting goals.
We are having some issues with our phoneline at the moment so apologies if you are having trouble getting through. Please either leave a voicemessage or send an email to Info@TreesDirect.co.uk Dismiss
From gardening tips and tricks, to special offers and gift ideas.
Plus 10% off your first order!
"*" indicates required fields
