Please scroll down for the catalogue, but please be sure to read the information at the bottom carefully before placing an order!

Stocklist released 6th September. Over 450 trees of 100 varieties currently listed below!

Please contact Phil at philknott@hotmail.com and 07789966159 for your order. Instagram and Facebook too, search Drumfearn Trees and note the logo. You are welcome to visit the croft to view trees by prior appointment.

At Drumfearn Trees we believe the best way to establish fruit trees in challenging environments is to establish young trees that have been grown outside in the same climate, and without the use of artificial inputs. Depending on the variety, rootstock and graft point, the trees vary from 90 cm to 1.6m and are supplied in 4.5L pots. They are all one year whips that are suitable for training in anyway needed, providing the right rootstock and varieties are selected. They come unpruned and ready to plant. We do not sell larger two or three year old trees.

Apple Varieties - please scroll down for Pears, Plums, Quince and Medlar!

All apples are £28 each

This guide brings together a collection of apple varieties grown and valued across Britain and beyond, with particular reference to those that thrive in the wet and windy conditions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The apples are arranged by use — crab apples, fresh eaters and keepers, cookers and cider apples to help you navigate and find the varieties best suited to your needs. Each description gives a sense of the fruit’s character, history, and flavour, together with its best uses in the kitchen or at the table.

While many of these apples are old heritage varieties, others are more modern introductions that have proved reliable in our climate. Scottish Heritage varieties are asterisked.

Crab Apples - all self fertile

Golden Gem - 1 available on MM116

An attractive small crab apple producing masses of strongly scented white blossom followed by abundant pea-sized golden-yellow fruit. The fruit are ornamental and can be used for jelly, although their very small size makes this less practical than larger-fruited crab apples. A hardy, compact tree that can also provide pollen for compatible apples flowering at the same time.

John Downie - 2 available on MM116

One of the best-known crab apples, introduced in Britain in the 19th century. Profuse white blossom is followed by abundant oval fruit, orange-yellow with a bright red flush. The fruit are particularly good for making richly coloured crab-apple jelly. A vigorous and attractive tree with both culinary and ornamental value.

Montreal Beauty - 1 available on MM116

An old Canadian crab apple producing unusually large, flattened fruit with yellow skin heavily flushed and streaked red. The fruit are acidic and useful for jelly, preserves and cider, while large white blossom and the colourful autumn crop give the tree considerable ornamental value.

Eating Apples – Fresh Eaters and Late Keepers

Akero - 5 available on MM116

An old Swedish dessert apple associated with Åkerö Manor, where it was discovered in the 18th century. The medium to large fruit are pale yellow with an attractive red flush. The flesh is firm, juicy and pleasantly aromatic. A hardy northern variety that ripens in autumn and stores well.

All Red Gravenstein - 1 available on MM106

A highly coloured sport of Gravenstein, producing attractive deep-red fruit. The flesh is crisp and juicy with the distinctive aromatic, sweet-sharp flavour of Gravenstein. Excellent for eating fresh and also useful in the kitchen. It ripens relatively early and is best used fairly soon after picking. Triploid – requires a compatible pollinator and should not be relied upon to pollinate other apples.

Alnarp's Favorit - 4 available on MM116

A Swedish apple associated with the Agricultural College in Alnarp and selected for northern growing conditions. It produces attractive red-flushed fruit with juicy, pleasantly sweet-sharp flesh. An autumn dessert apple best enjoyed relatively soon after picking.

Aroma - 3 available on MM116

A Swedish dessert apple bred for cool climates. The medium to large fruit develop a strong red flush and have crisp, juicy flesh with a good balance of sweetness, acidity and aroma. It ripens in autumn, crops well and can be stored for a useful period after picking.

Bardsey - 3 available on MM116, 1 available on MM106

A Welsh apple discovered growing on Bardsey Island, off the Llŷn Peninsula. The attractive yellow fruit develop pink and red striping, while the flesh is crisp and juicy with a mild, pleasant flavour and often a light lemon scent. An interesting fresh-eating apple with a reputation for healthy growth in maritime conditions. Our favourite apple on the croft.

*Cambusnethan Pippin - 3 available on MM116, 1 available on MM106

An old Scottish variety associated with Cambusnethan in the Clyde Valley. The small to medium fruit are pale yellow-green, flushed with orange and red, with firm, chewy flesh and a mild, sweet flavour. A dual-purpose apple that can be eaten fresh or used in the kitchen. It crops in early autumn and stores for a relatively short period.

Cornish Aromatic - 1 available on MM116

An old Cornish dessert apple valued for its rich flavour. The yellow-green fruit are flushed and streaked red and often show some russeting. The firm flesh develops a sweet, aromatic and slightly nutty character. A late apple whose flavour improves after picking and which stores well.

*Coul Blush - 11 available on MM116, 1 available on MM106

A Highland apple raised by Sir George Mackenzie at Coul House in Contin. This is the most northerly named apple in Scotland! First fruited and described in 1827, so 2027 is the bicentennial annviersary of this variety. The medium-sized golden-yellow fruit develop an attractive orange-red blush. The fine, soft flesh is lightly sweet and gently acidic. An early dessert apple, usually picked around September, which can also be used in the kitchen.

D'Arcy Spice - 1 available on MM116

An old Essex dessert apple with a distinctive flavour. The small to medium fruit are greenish-yellow with extensive brown russeting. The firm flesh develops rich, spicy and aromatic flavours after storage. A very late variety that benefits from a good autumn and can keep well into spring.

Discovery - 2 available on MM106

A popular English early dessert apple introduced during the 20th century. Its bright crimson skin covers crisp, juicy flesh with a refreshing flavour that can develop strawberry-like notes when fully ripe. One of the first high-quality eating apples of the season, but not a keeper.

Ellison's Orange - 2 available on MM106

An English dessert apple raised in Lincolnshire from Cox's Orange Pippin and Calville Blanc d'Hiver. The fruit are green-yellow with a strong red flush and have soft, juicy, aromatic flesh. Fully ripe fruit often develop a distinctive aniseed flavour. Best eaten in early autumn rather than stored for long periods. Partially self-fertile – capable of cropping alone, although a compatible pollinator should improve cropping.

Empire - 1 available on MM106

An American apple raised in New York from McIntosh and Red Delicious. The dark-red fruit have firm, crisp, juicy flesh and a pleasant sweet-sharp flavour. Useful for eating fresh, juice and cooking, and capable of storing well.

Fiesta - 1 available on MM116

Raised at East Malling in Kent from a cross between Cox’s Orange Pippin and Idared, Fiesta is one of the best apples for those wanting Cox-like flavour without quite such a demanding tree. The attractive red and orange-flushed fruit has crisp, juicy flesh with a rich, sweet and aromatic flavour. A later-ripening apple, it stores very well and can retain its quality for several months after picking. Reliable cropping and generally easier cultivation than Cox make it a promising choice for northern orchards. Partially self-fertile.

George Cave - 6 available on MM116

An early English dessert apple discovered in Essex in the early 20th century. The attractive red-flushed fruit have crisp, juicy flesh with a refreshing sweet-sharp flavour. It ripens early and is best eaten directly from the tree as it does not keep well. Partially self-fertile.

Gravenstein - 4 available on MM116, 3 available on M25

A very old northern European apple with a long reputation for excellent flavour. The large fruit are yellow-green, strongly striped red, with crisp, coarse-textured and exceptionally juicy flesh. The flavour combines sweetness, acidity and strong aroma. Excellent for eating, cooking and juice. It ripens relatively early and does not keep well. Triploid – requires a compatible pollinator and should not be relied upon to pollinate other apples.

Greasy Pippin - 1 available on MM106

An old Irish heritage apple named for the waxy or greasy feel that develops on the skin when ripe. The fruit have firm flesh and are mainly valued as a late eating apple. A now uncommon variety of particular interest for traditional and heritage orchards.

Gyllenkroks Astrachan - 1 available on MM106

An old Swedish apple belonging to the Astrachan group. It is an early-ripening variety suited to cooler climates, producing attractive fruit with juicy, refreshing flesh and noticeable acidity. Useful for eating fresh and kitchen use, but not a long keeper.

Ingrid Marie - 4 available on MM116

A Danish apple discovered in the early 20th century and believed to be a seedling of Cox's Orange Pippin. Its handsome dark-red fruit have firm, juicy flesh with a pleasant sweet, aromatic flavour and gentle acidity. A dependable autumn eating apple that stores better than many early and mid-season dessert varieties.

Irish Peach - 2 available on MM116

An old Irish dessert apple known since the early 19th century. The pale yellow fruit develop red streaking and contain tender, very juicy flesh with a sweet, aromatic flavour. One of the earliest dessert apples to ripen and best eaten directly from the tree.

John Standish - 3 available on MM106

An old English dessert apple raised at Ascot, Berkshire, in the 19th century. The attractive fruit are heavily flushed and streaked red, with firm, crisp, juicy flesh and a refreshing flavour. Picked in autumn, it can be stored and is particularly useful as a winter eating apple.

Katy - 8 available on MM116, 1 on M111, 1 on MM106 and 2 on M25

A Swedish apple, originally named Katja, raised from James Grieve and Worcester Pearmain. The bright-red fruit are crisp, sweet and exceptionally juicy and can develop a light strawberry flavour. It ripens early and performs well in cool climates. Excellent eaten fresh and also useful for juice and cider, but it does not keep for long.

Kemp - 1 available on MM106, 4 available on MM116

An old Irish apple, possibly originating in Ulster, known by the early 19th century and also recorded under the name May Bloom. It has firm, relatively coarse flesh and a subacid flavour. Now uncommon, it is of particular interest for collections of Irish and historic varieties.

Kerry Pippin - 6 available on MM116

An old Irish dessert apple associated with County Kerry. The small yellow fruit, sometimes lightly flushed, have crisp, juicy flesh and an intense, aromatic flavour. It ripens relatively early and is best eaten promptly rather than stored.

Kilkenny Pearmain - 2 available on MM116

A rare Irish dessert apple associated with County Kilkenny. The small to medium fruit are yellow, streaked with red and sometimes lightly russeted. The yellowish flesh is crisp and juicy with a mild flavour. An autumn eater that stores only into late autumn rather than through the winter.

Lady Sudeley - 4 available on MM106

An attractive English dessert apple raised in the 19th century. The fruit are strongly flushed bright red and have tender, juicy flesh with a sweet, lightly aromatic flavour. An early apple that is best eaten soon after picking.

Liberty - 4 available on MM106

A modern American apple bred specifically for resistance to several important apple diseases, particularly scab. The red fruit have crisp, juicy flesh with a refreshing sweet-sharp flavour. Good for eating, juice and cooking.

Mutsu - 2 available on M25

A large Japanese dual-purpose apple, also known as Crispin, raised from Golden Delicious and Indo. The green to golden-yellow fruit have firm, crisp, juicy flesh with a refreshing balance of sweetness and acidity. Excellent for eating and cooking and capable of good storage. Triploid – requires a compatible pollinator and should not be relied upon to pollinate other apples.

Norfolk Royal - 1 available on MM106

An attractive old Norfolk dessert apple with red-flushed skin and tender, juicy flesh. The flavour is sweet and rich when properly ripened. A traditional autumn eating apple with particular interest for heritage orchards.

Panenské České - 2 available on MM116

An old Czech apple with a long history in central European orchards. The relatively small, attractively coloured fruit have firm flesh and a pleasant aromatic flavour. A late dessert apple that can be stored into winter.

Quinte - 4 available on MM116

A Canadian dessert apple bred for cool growing regions. The attractive red fruit have juicy, pleasantly sweet-sharp flesh and ripen very early. Useful for extending the apple season, but not a keeper and best eaten soon after picking.

Signe Tillisch - 1 available on MM106

A Danish heritage apple dating from the 19th century, Signe Tillisch produces large, handsome yellow apples, often with a soft red flush. The flesh is juicy and tender with a pleasant balance of sweetness and acidity, making it excellent for eating fresh but also useful in the kitchen. It ripens during the autumn and is best used relatively soon after picking rather than treated as a long-term keeper. Its Scandinavian origins make it a particularly interesting variety for trialling in our cool northern climate.

Summerred - 6 available on MM116

A Canadian apple bred for cooler growing regions. The bright-red fruit have crisp, juicy flesh with a lively balance of sweetness and acidity. It ripens in late summer or early autumn and is best eaten fairly soon after picking.

Vitgylling - 1 available on MM106

An old northern European apple recorded by the early 19th century. The medium-sized yellow fruit have crisp flesh with a distinctly acidic flavour and can be used for eating and cooking. An early variety, usually picked from late summer, and not a long keeper.

Wagener - 2 available on MM106, 2 on MM116

An American apple originating in New York State around the turn of the 19th century. The medium-sized fruit are yellow-green with red flushing and striping, and the flesh is juicy with a pleasant sweet, slightly vinous flavour. A useful late apple with good storage qualities.

Winston - 4 available on MM116

A late English dessert apple raised from Cox's Orange Pippin and Worcester Pearmain. The relatively small red fruit have firm, crisp flesh and a rich, sweet, aromatic flavour that develops in storage. A reliable cropper and excellent keeper, with properly stored fruit often lasting well into spring. Self-fertile, although a compatible pollinator would likely improve cropping even more.

Cooking and Dual-Purpose Apples

Annie Elizabeth - 1 available on MM106

A late Victorian English cooking apple raised in Leicestershire. The large yellow fruit develop an orange-red flush and have firm flesh with a relatively sweet flavour for a cooker. The flesh keeps its shape particularly well during cooking. A hardy, productive and very good storing variety, with fruit potentially keeping into spring. Partially self-fertile – capable of cropping alone, although a compatible pollinator should improve cropping.

Arthur Turner - 3 available on MM116

An English culinary apple raised in the late 19th or early 20th century. The large yellow-green fruit may develop an orange-red flush and cook to a light, well-flavoured purée. The fruit can also be eaten when fully ripe. The tree bears attractive blossom, crops relatively young and has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Ballyfatten - 1 available on MM116

An old Irish cooking apple associated with Ballyfatten in County Tyrone. The large fruit contain firm, pale flesh with a distinctly acidic flavour and are well suited to general cooking and baking. An interesting northern Irish heritage variety.

Bradley's Beauty - 1 available on MM116

A relatively recent Cumbrian apple discovered growing wild on the mosses at Witherslack by Bob Bradley in 1975 and thought to be a chance seedling originating around the mid-20th century. The large, conical fruit ripen from light green to yellow with red flecking and have crisp flesh that cooks down readily to a sauce. Primarily a cooking apple when first picked, the fruit sweeten as they mature and can also be eaten later in the season. A very hardy, vigorous variety with good resistance to scab and canker and particular value for northern orchards. Self-fertile.

Bramley - 3 on M111 and 8 on MM106, 1 on MM116

Britain's best-known cooking apple originated from a seedling planted in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, in 1809. Its large green fruit have strong acidity and cook down readily to a light, fluffy purée, making them excellent for pies, crumbles and sauces. A vigorous, productive and hardy tree. Triploid – requires a compatible pollinator and should not be relied upon to pollinate other apple varieties.

Calville Blanc d'Hiver - 4 available on MM106

A very old French apple recognisable by its pale, strongly ribbed fruit. The tender, aromatic flesh has a complex, sharp-sweet flavour and the variety has long been prized both for dessert and culinary use. A late apple that develops in storage, but one that generally benefits from a warm, sheltered position to ripen well.

Catshead - 2 available on MM116

An ancient English cooking apple named after the unusual shape of its large, prominently ribbed fruit. The pale flesh is firm and acidic and cooks well, making the fruit useful for purée and baking. A vigorous old variety with a very long history in British orchards.

Emneth Early - 3 available on MM116

An early English cooking apple, also widely known as Early Victoria, associated with Cambridgeshire. The large green fruit have acidic flesh and cook to a light purée. A productive variety that provides useful cooking apples before the main autumn crop, but is best used relatively soon after picking.

*Galloway Pippin - 3 available on MM116

An old Scottish apple believed to have originated around Wigtown in Galloway and first brought to wider attention in 1871, although the variety is thought to be considerably older. It produces large, pale yellow apples with firm, crisp and juicy flesh and a brisk, slightly acidic flavour. Primarily a cooking apple, it holds its shape well when cooked, although the fruit can become more suitable for eating as its acidity mellows. A valuable Scottish heritage variety with obvious interest for growers looking for traditional apples suited to northern conditions. Triploid – requires two compatible pollinating varieties nearby.

Haralson - 4 available on MM116

A hardy American apple developed by the University of Minnesota for regions with severe winters. The red fruit have firm, crisp and distinctly tart flesh. Excellent for pies, baking, sauce and juice, and also edible fresh for those who enjoy a sharp apple. A good storing variety.

Howgate Wonder - 1 available on MM106

A very large English dual-purpose apple raised on the Isle of Wight from Blenheim Orange and Newton Wonder. The fruit have firm, juicy flesh with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. Excellent for cooking and baking and capable of becoming suitable for eating after storage. A vigorous, heavy-cropping tree. Partially self-fertile – capable of cropping alone, although a compatible pollinator should improve cropping.

Keswick Codlin - 7 available on MM116, 1 available on M111

An old Cumbrian cooking apple first recorded in the late 18th century. The pale green-yellow fruit have soft, acidic flesh that cooks to a juicy, cream-coloured purée. A prolific early cropper capable of performing in adverse conditions and particularly valuable in cooler northern districts. Partially self-fertile – capable of cropping alone, although a compatible pollinator should improve cropping.

Lane's Prince Albert - 3 available on MM106

A classic Victorian English cooking apple raised at Berkhamsted around 1840 and introduced by John Lane in 1850. The green-yellow fruit develop red flushing and have very juicy, acidic flesh that cooks well. A productive late variety and excellent keeper, extending the cooking season well into winter and spring.

*Lass O'Gowrie - 7 available on MM116

An old Scottish apple associated with Perthshire and known by the 19th century. The medium-sized yellow fruit develop a crimson flush and contain crisp, juicy, distinctly sharp flesh. Primarily valued as a cooker: it develops a delicate flavour and can retain its shape during cooking. An early variety suitable for northern Britain.

Lord Derby - 2 available on M25

A traditional English cooking apple raised in Cheshire in the 19th century. The large green fruit have crisp, acidic flesh and are particularly useful for pies and baking because they retain some texture when cooked. A productive late apple that can be stored into winter.

Newton Wonder - 3 available on M25, 1 on M111

A large English cooking apple discovered in Derbyshire in the 19th century. The green-yellow fruit develop a red flush and have firm, acidic flesh suitable for pies, baking and sauce. Picked late, they store very well and become less acidic with keeping. Triploid and partially self-fertile – capable of setting some fruit alone, but benefits from cross-pollination; it should not be relied upon to pollinate other apples.

Peter Lock‍ - 1 available on MM106

A dual-purpose apple originating from Buckfastleigh in Devon in the early 19th century. The large green fruit develop an attractive red flush and have a sweet, subtly scented flavour when eaten fresh. When cooked, the apples produce a smooth, very sweet, bright golden purée.

Reverend W. Wilks - 2 available on MM116

An English cooking apple raised in the late 19th century and named after the Reverend William Wilks, secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society. Its large pale fruit cook to a delicately flavoured purée and may also be eaten when fully ripe. An early to mid-season cooker rather than a long keeper. Self-fertile, although a compatible pollinator can improve cropping.

*Scotch Bridget - 6 available on MM116

An old Scottish cooking apple described by the mid-19th century. The medium-sized green-yellow fruit can become strongly flushed red and contain tender, soft, white flesh with a pleasantly subacid flavour. Picked in autumn, it is primarily a culinary apple and an important surviving Scottish heritage variety.

*Tower of Glamis - 1 available on MM116

An old Scottish cooking apple known before 1800. The large to very large pale fruit contain crisp, firm, fairly fine-textured flesh with a distinctly acidic, lightly perfumed flavour. Picked in autumn, it is a traditional culinary apple particularly associated with Scottish orchards. Triploid and not self-fertile – requires a compatible pollinator and should not be relied upon to pollinate other apples.

Warner's King - 2 available on M25

A large Victorian cooking apple producing very large yellow-green fruit, sometimes lightly flushed pink. The fruit cook down to a well-flavoured purée and are less intensely acidic than Bramley. A vigorous tree capable of heavy crops. An old tree on Tanera Mor points to a very resilient variety! Triploid – requires a compatible pollinator and should not be relied upon to pollinate other apples.

*White Melrose - 6 available on MM116

A very old Scottish apple associated particularly with Melrose and the Border counties and recorded by 1831, although probably considerably older. Its large, ribbed, pale green to yellow fruit contain firm but tender flesh with a pleasantly sweet, subacid flavour. Traditionally valued for both cooking and dessert use. A vigorous, productive variety and one of Scotland's important surviving historic apples.

Wolf River - 3 available on MM106

A North American apple originating in Wisconsin and named after the nearby Wolf River. It is famous for producing exceptionally large fruit, usually green-yellow with a strong red flush. The flesh is relatively soft and mildly acidic and is particularly useful for baking whole, pies and sauce. A very hardy and visually impressive variety.

Varieties marked with an asterisk * are of documented Scottish origin.

Pears - £30 each

Beth - 12 available

A modern English dessert pear raised at the East Malling Research Station from Beurré Superfin and Williams’ Bon Chrétien. The small to medium-sized yellow-green fruit have sweet, juicy, melting flesh and ripen early, usually from early September. A reliable and relatively compact pear that is particularly useful for extending the pear season. Requires a compatible pollination partner for reliable cropping.

Clapp's Favourite - 3 available

An old American dessert pear raised in Massachusetts in the 19th century. The attractive medium to large fruit ripen from pale green to yellow, usually developing a strong red flush. The pale flesh is juicy with a mild, pleasant flavour. An excellent early pear, ready in late summer and best eaten soon after picking. Not self-fertile and requires a compatible pollination partner.

Fondante d'Automne - 3 available

A fine old dessert pear dating from the early 19th century, probably originating in either northern France or Belgium. The pale green to yellow fruit develop some russeting and have fine, melting, exceptionally juicy flesh with a sweet, aromatic flavour. It ripens from late September into October and is primarily an eating pear. Not self-fertile and requires a compatible pollination partner.

Hessle - 2 available

An old English pear associated with Hessle in Yorkshire and particularly valued for its hardiness and reliability in cooler districts. The small greenish-yellow fruit are often partly russeted and have juicy, melting, sweet flesh with a mild flavour. It crops in early autumn and has a long history of cultivation in northern Britain. Not self-fertile and requires a compatible pollination partner.

Improved Fertility - 3 available

An English dessert pear discovered as a sport of the older variety Fertility at Seabrook’s Nursery in Boreham, Essex, during the 20th century. The medium-sized fruit are sweet and juicy with soft, melting flesh and are usually ready from September into October. A heavy-cropping variety with a reputation for good performance in northern Britain. Partially self-fertile, although a compatible pollination partner should improve cropping.

Onward - 3 available

An English dessert pear developed at the National Fruit Trials at Wisley during the 20th century. It produces good, regular crops of high-quality fruit with sweet, rich, buttery and melting flesh, somewhat reminiscent of an early Doyenné du Comice. The fruit ripen from September into early October and are best eaten during their relatively short season. A hardy and reliable variety with particularly good dessert quality. Not self-fertile and requires a compatible pollination partner. Onward and Doyenné du Comice are incompatible with one another for pollination purposes.

Williams’ Bon Chrétien - 3 available

One of the world's best-known dessert pears, originating in England in the 18th century and known in North America as Bartlett. The medium to large yellow-green fruit develop sweet, exceptionally juicy, melting flesh with a distinctive aromatic, slightly musky flavour. It ripens relatively early, usually during September, and is excellent eaten fresh, bottled or cooked. Often described as partially self-fertile, but cropping is significantly improved by a compatible pollination partner.

Varieties marked with an asterisk are of documented Scottish origin.

Plums, Gages and Bullaces - £30 each

Sold out of our own supply - will be sourcing more appropriate varieties soon, including Victoria! Please enquire.

Quinces - £30 each

Bereczki - 3 available

An old Hungarian quince producing large, pear-shaped fruit that ripen to golden yellow in autumn. The fruit are strongly aromatic, with juicy yellow flesh that develops a pale reddish colour when cooked. Excellent for quince jelly, preserves, poaching and adding fragrance to apple dishes. A hardy tree, although fruit ripens best in a sunny, reasonably sheltered position.

Vranja - 2 available

A well-known quince originating from the area around Vranja in southern Serbia. It produces large, pear-shaped, clear golden-yellow fruit with an intense fragrance and flesh that is softer than that of many quinces. The aromatic fruit are excellent for jelly, preserves, poaching and cooking with apples. A productive and attractive tree, with large pale pink-white flowers in spring.

Medlars - £30 each - (sold typically around 85cm and shrub like)

Nottingham - 2 available

A traditional medlar producing relatively small fruit with particularly good flavour. The fruit are harvested in late autumn while still firm and then allowed to blet, becoming soft, sweet and aromatic before eating. They can be eaten directly when fully bletted and are also excellent for jelly and desserts. Nottingham forms a relatively compact, upright tree and is hardy, productive and well suited to the British climate. Self-fertile, so only one tree is needed to produce a crop.

Stakes, ties and guards

We can supply 1.2m wooden stakes, ties and buckles and biodegradable vole guards. A bundle of all three is £4. We recommend staking trees for the first few years only, ensuring they set straight. The rootstocks we supply on should not require permanent staking - if you feel you need to brace it against the wind, it is likely your site is too exposed.

Grafting requests

Phil can graft to order for specific varieties or unknown favourites. This is a lengthy process, so for delivery autumn/winter 2027, orders need to be in by late December 2026. Specific requests are £30 each, and for cloning old or favourite trees, we will need healthy wood to clone from. Phil will collect or instruct you how to collect appropriate material for cloning.

Delivery

Trees come in 4.5l pots and are relatively bulky and awkward. Local collection and delivery is free. We will not post or use couriers for our trees.

Larger orders from other corners of Scotland will be personally arranged and delivered by Phil for a fee, or may be free if he is going that direction! There hasn’t been an order that we have been unable to fulfil, and we deliver to at least 15 islands every winter!

Size and age of trees

At Drumfearn Trees we believe the best way to establish fruit trees in challenging environments is to establish young trees that have been grown outside in the same climate, and without the use of artificial inputs. Depending on the variety, rootstock and graft point, the trees vary from 90 cm to 1.6m. They are all one year whips that are suitable for training in anyway, providing the right rootstock and varieties are selected. They come unpruned and ready to plant. We do not sell larger two or three year old trees.

Chemical Usage

We do not use any artificial chemicals at Drumfearn Trees. No pesticides or fungicides are used, and the only fertiliser we use is a homemade blend of compost teas, utilising nutrient rich inputs such as Nettle, Comfrey and locally collected seaweed. The trees are grown in 100% organically certified compost.

Rootstocks

At Drumfearn trees we use seven rootstocks for our grafts. The rootstocks possess certain characteristics that are desirable, including disease resistance, tolerance to different soil conditions and most importantly, ultimate size and speed of fruiting. The variety of fruit grafted on also makes a difference to the ultimate size too, a Bramley apple for example is very vigorous, while a Cox is much smaller.

Modern commercial fruit is usually grown on dwarf rootstock that is short-lived and quick to fruit. These rootstock are often heavily dependent on inputs such as sprays and fertilisers and require a good soil. They are not recommended for outside growing on the West of Scotland. At Drumfearn Trees we produce trees that are hardy and can withstand our tougher conditions.

The vast majority of our Pear, Quince and Medlar are on Quince A, which produces a sturdy tree that would stand around 3-4m at 10 years old, depending on site conditions. It is broadly similar in size to MM106 and MM116 in apples and allows trees to be spaced at the same distances of around 3-4m between the trees, or 1.5 – 2m if in rows or cordons.

The only Pears not on Quince A are the older, heritage varieties of pears, including any perry pears. They are on Pyrus communis (Wild Pear) rootstock. These varieties tend not to be compatible with Quince A rootstock. These invariably produce long-lived and much larger trees that will be slower to fruit.

Plums, damsons and bullaces are all on St Julian A rootstock. It is broadly similar in size to MM106 and MM116 in apples and allows trees to be spaced at the same distances of around 3-4m between the trees, or 1.5 – 2m if in rows or cordons.

The bulk of our apple trees are on MM106 and MM116. These are very similar rootstocks, and after 10 years both produce a tree that stands around 3-4m tall, MM116 is slightly smaller than MM106 but the variety of apple also dictates final size and overall vigour. We have a handful of M111 and especially M25 trees that will be larger, more suitable for bigger spaces. These will tend to grow over 4m tall in time and will be slower to fruit, but ultimately produce more fruit for longer.

Pollination

Only varieties clearly listed as self fertile do not need a pollinating partner. All other varieties listed below need to be pollinated by a different variety of the same fruit. Trees would need to be no further than 50m apart. For example, a Katy apple would need another variety (like a Discovery) to successfully pollinate it and produce apples.

The varieties need to overlap in their flowering, but at our latitude with our shorter summer we have found almost all fruit trees are flowering in the late April to mid May period.

A small number of the varieties are triploid, and they do not pollinate other species well, if at all. If you wished to have a Triploid, such as a Bramley apple, or Jargonelle pear, you would need two additional varieties to pollinate the triploid and then each other.

The pollinating partner has no outcome on the colour, shape or flavour of the fruit, only in the genetics contained within the seed!

Wild Pear and Crab Apple can provide excellent pollination, and usually have more profuse flowers for a long time.

Should I stake my tree?

After many years of field trials, we advise staking for just the first few years only, until the tree has a sturdy upright trunk. A totally supported tree does not produce as many anchor roots and becomes totally dependent on the stake, which is difficult to replace when it rots away and can lead to tree failure.

A stake should not be used to brace a tree against extreme winds – if this is the case then likely the site is too exposed. Shelter is vital for fruit trees, with native hedging and shelterbelts the best options.

We can supply a 1.2m stake, appropriate tie and a biodegradable vole guard for £5 per bundle. This is best driven in at 45 degrees in to the ground and tied on to the tree at around 60-70cm above the ground.

Should I use tree guards?

Livestock, deer, rabbits and voles and in some cases poultry and young fruit trees do not mix well and good planning is key here!

Rabbits and Hares often girdle the bark in winter which can prove fatal. If you know you have rabbits, it is important to guard against any bark damage upto 40cm or so (more if snow regularly accumulates on your land). Spiral guards are often rather brittle and leave plastic in the environment, so mesh or chicken wire guards are the most appropriate. Depending on the speed of growth, it may be needed for 5 years or more.

Voles love the bark of fruit trees and also love the fertilised areas around fruit trees. Keeping a generous ring of mulch around a fruit tree helps deter the voles from coming too close, as does keeping grass short. Strimmers kill more fruit trees than voles though so be sure to manually cut or pull around trees if deciding against mulch. We recommend a vole guard for every fruit tree – it only takes one vole a few minutes or so to fatally wound a young tree. A vole guard is a 15-20cm tube that wraps around the bottom of the trunk. We supply biodegradable ones that can be left on – once the tree is a few years old it is not needed any more.

Poultry can be problematic, with geese often liking to peel bark of young trees. Careful observation is needed – do look at how they react to existing trees in the fields first. Poultry are more problematic when it comes to mulching of the trees, hens especially love to scratch mulch away which is not great for the young tree roots. If chicken wire is used to protect the trees, then be sure to hand weed around them and inside the guard. Competitive grasses may do as much harm as poultry! Once the trees are older, poultry can be good for pest control and fertilisation of the ground, providing there aren’t too many!

Livestock and fruit trees can work well – but there are many challenges getting the trees up and away first. If your wish is to graze livestock under fruit trees then we advise you use an M25 or M111 vigorous rootstock for apples. We need advanced orders of these by December at the latest. Robust, long-lived individual tree protection is needed until the trees are up and away. We recommend Cactus Guards or similar for this. Ensure that the fruit trees are not the only trees in the field too, otherwise they will be used as scratching posts and the only source of shelter and shade, which causes soil compaction around the tree root zones.

Deer and young fruit trees do not work well at all. If you know you have deer on your land, then the fruit trees will need protecting to 5ft (Roe) and 6ft+ for Red Deer. Occasional browsing is okay but in most cases the deer will repeatedly come back, which kills, weakens or at best mis-shapes the tree. Plan for it, and consider building a deer proof enclosure for fruit trees or investing in Cactus Guards or something similar. Repeated browsing and snapping significantly weakens the tree and opens it up for disease.