UKC

My family apple tree (Bramley, Cox and Worcester) has developed a bad canker at the main graft to the rootstock - probably due to poor staking and the harsh winter. It limped by this summer (it's 3rd) and we got our first small crop but I don't think it will survive any longer and I'm going to pull it up and replace it. The cure for canker (cutting it out and cleaning the wound would remove too much wood) isn't practical.

I'm thinking of getting just a self-fertile cooker (Lord Derby) but I wan't to buy as established a tree as possible to reduce the time to first harvest.

I'm also torn between M26 (same as the family tree) or M9. The best I've found so far is a 2 year old M9 bush. Anyone know anyone selling M9 or M26 half standards?

In reply to Philip:
There's a chap based in Sheffield who might be worth giving a call:
http://appletrees.org.uk/contact-details/

In reply to Philip:

i cannot help in the slightest.

BUt do feel compelled to comment that thats one of the most obscure yet intriguing posts ive ever seen here.
your passion for apple trees is admirable, and it seems theres plenty to know.

i wish you luck.

In reply to Philip:

Common half standard rootstocks are M116, MM106 and the excellent MM111. A half standard is supposed to be more disease resistant (particulary with respect to dwarfing rootstocks like M9) and are better able to regrow if you cut out canker in the future.

What kind of situation is the tree going to be in? Given that you've had canker, which is fungal so more likely to be caused by damp/lack of air movement/humidity - I'd go for MM111 and take the wait for fruit, otherwise M26.

If you're in North Yorkshire at all, W Braithwaite & Sons ( http://www.wbraithwaitesnursery.co.uk ) have containerised trees from the last bare root season on MM111 half standard and MM106 bush - so almost 3 years old now.

In reply to Philip: Have you looked at the national fruit collection at Brogdale?

http://brogdaleonline.co.uk/

In reply to Philip: I am sure there will be tree specialists that can help you in this regard. That said, if you get out and about into the countryside, you would be surprised at just how many wild apple trees there are.

In reply to EeeByGum: There are plenty of wild apple trees in the fields around where I live (and a fair few hanging over the odd farm house garden)- I just like the look of one in my front garden

To everyone else:
Thanks for the links/advice. I think MM106 might be too large. It's a NNE facing garden on clay. Quite windy and prone to cold winters (especially these last two). My current M26 has shot to about 12ft in the 3 years and I don't want something that will overly dominate the front garden.

Although the infection was fungal, I think it took hold due to frost damage at the graft. The ground will get adequate preparation for the new tree, I'll probably add a little sulphur early next year just in case.

In reply to Philip:

Sounds like you know what you're doing - Lord Derby has a slight large habit (the mature size is determined by both the rootstock and variety), and has good disease resistance to canker and scab, although prone to brown rot and has frost hardy flowers - so that on M26 seems a good choice. You're right to reject MM106, particulary as it would be prone to root rot on your soil.

I've not seen a containerised Lord Derby on M26 for sale, but since there are plenty of other apple trees in the area, you may not have to worry about pollination and could choose another variety - http://www.mailordertrees.co.uk has a few M26 bush and half standards left.
http://www.orangepippin.com/ is good for researching varieties.

Autumn is supposed to be the best time to plant containerised trees so hope everything goes well.

In reply to Philip: Dear Issac Newton, after many years of searching I believe I have now found a buyer for your tree..... I know you probably won't believe me but it's on a climbing forum....

What's a forum .... Mmmmm okay I'll give you that one Issac

In reply to Philip: Reading this thread is like reading posts by Dominion et al discussing computers.

In reply to Jgh69:

Amusingly there is a variety known as Issac Newton that I was considering. But alas, he went to Cambridge and I couldn't possibly accept a tree with his name in my garden - even if my wife refuses to accept any advances in theories of mechanics beyond his (don't mention relativity or quantum to her). I'd have a Blenheim Orange if it was half-decent for cooking

In reply to Philip: Lol...