[daviid]

Hi!
I'm struggling to find recommendations online for a suitable rootstock for a multiple cordon, either U shaped or double-U. Do I treat them as a cordon or a bigger form such as a small espalier? M26 seems commonly suggested for standard cordons and even RHS suggest MM106 can support a cordon ("All forms except standards"). I will either grow 1 tree as a double-U or 2 trees next to each other, as U cordons. Does anyone have any thoughts?

A bit more info -
The tree(s) will be trained on an east facing wall on clay soil in West Sussex (I'll try to improve it before planting). The wall itself is some 7m wide but the best section for sun is around 2-3m wide which is why I'm looking at a multiple cordon as opposed to say a fan. I think 2 varieties might be best as I'm not certain of other apples locally although as we are fairly urban I'm sure there must be somewhere!

Many thanks in advance!
David

[Yorkie]

Hi David and welcome to the forums 

I don't know the answer but it might be worth contacting one of the specialist fruit growers for advice if nobody else knows on here.

R V Roger in Pickering N Yorks is one firm I know, but there are others around the country.

[CHRISDONOHUE]

The internet would suggest using an M26 or an MM106 in poor soil.  Broadly, any rootstock can be trained as a cordon or double cordon, since you are curtailing the natural growth of a bush tree by extremely restrictive pruning and planting at a 45 degree angle.   But you only get a fraction of the crop you would get as a bush tree.   Hoeever, it is possible to get many different varieties in a small space and make good use of a wall if you are willing to spend the large amounts of money that many trees will cost you.   Buying maidens and training them yourself would be the most cost effective.

[Gardener and Rabbit]

Hi David,

45 degree cordons are probably easiest, and you can still fully cover the sunniest 2-3m of wall.

These trees were all maiden cordons as Chris suggests, growing on a roughly SE facing wall, and from left to right there's a cherry, pear, 3 apples and a redcurrant.

The only one I wouldn't recommend as a cordon is the cherry, it needs the most pruning to keep it in shape and never crops particularly well.

With the apples, since they grow close together, I'd look for varieties with good scab resistance. There's also scope to choose a mix of dessert apples and cookers, and a spread of early and late varieties.

G&R

[Ema]

I recently visited RHS Rosemoor, the apple trees in their orchard wee M106 as they found these established better in the conditions there. I would be tempted by this if you want a larger cordon quickly. Can you get hold of all rootstocks?