Apple Trees

Choosing the Right Apple Tree Variety

Selecting the right apple tree starts with how much space is available and how the tree will be grown. For patios, courtyards and smaller gardens, dwarfing and semi dwarfing rootstocks keep trees compact and manageable. These are ideal if a small apple tree is the goal, or if fruit is wanted without ladders and heavy pruning.
Trained forms open up even more options. An espalier apple tree creates a striking, flat framework against a wall or fence, combining structure with heavy cropping. Stepover apple trees form low, horizontal lines that edge paths or borders beautifully, while still producing fruit. These shapes are perfect where space is tight but you still want to sample the taste of 'grow your own'.
Cooking varieties such as the Bramley apple are unbeatable for pies and sauces, while dessert types like the Braeburn apple tree offer crisp, sweet eating straight from the branch. Many gardeners choose a mix, extending the harvest season and enjoying apples for use inside the kitchen. Pollination partners matter too, as most apple trees crop best when grown alongside a compatible variety.

Planting and Growing Apple Trees

Planting apple trees is best done during the dormant season for bare root stock, or at any time of year for potted trees, as long as ground conditions are not frozen or waterlogged. Choose a sunny position with free draining soil. Apples tolerate most soil types, but avoid waterlogged ground, which can slow growth and reduce fruiting.
Dig a generous hole, tease out the roots, and plant so the tree sits at the same depth as it was previously grown. Water well and keep young trees consistently moist during their first year. A mulch around the base helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, while keeping the trunk clear prevents rot.
Pruning is simple and rewarding. An annual winter prune shapes the tree and encourages strong, productive branches. Light summer pruning helps trained forms, such as an apple espalier tree, hold their shape and improve fruit ripening. With this basic care, apple trees settle quickly and crop reliably year after year.

Apple Trees and Wildlife

Apple trees quietly support garden wildlife. Spring blossom attracts bees and other pollinators when food sources are still limited. Through summer, dense foliage provides shelter for birds and beneficial insects. Even fallen fruit plays a role, feeding wildlife later in the season. Adding apple trees to your garden helps create a healthier, more balanced garden ecosystem.

Buying Apple Trees Online with YouGarden

Buying apple trees online opens up access to a wider choice of varieties than what's on offer at your local garden centres. YouGarden selects apple tree varieties proven to perform well in UK gardens, from traditional Bramley apple trees to modern, compact forms designed for smaller spaces.
Whether the goal is a productive orchard, a decorative espalier apple tree, or a reliable small apple tree for a patio, each tree arrives healthy, well rooted and ready to plant. With clear care guidance and varieties chosen for reliability, buying apple trees from YouGarden makes growing apple trees simple, rewarding and achievable for every gardener.