[jonewer]

Thanks to my neighbour cutting down his hideous and oversize conifer, I now have a gap into which another fruit tree might be shoe-horned.

I have loads of apples, plus a pear, a cherry, a plum, and a quince, but was wondering about something a bit different. Has anyone grown a mulberry or medlar? If so, how big do they get and are they worth it for the fruit you get?

[Totty]

Mulberrys will grow fairly big, not too sure if you can get them on dwarfing rootstock, plus the crop ain't heavy at all.
If it's south facing you could always try an apricot.

Totty

[allotmentann]

I am growing mulberry and medlar on my plot. I think Totty is right, you can't get mulberry on dwarf root stock.  The medlar, I am not at all sure I will like the fruit, but it is a stunningly beautiful tree. I planted them mainly as I wanted to help preserve a few things that are not too widely grown.
I think mulberries take a good few years to fruit. I have fruit already on my medlar and it has only been planted for a year. If you want them for the fruit I would try and taste a medlar first as I believe they are a rather acquired taste.   

[wasthiswise]

If I had the space (and time) it would be a Mulberry. I read you shouldnt expect much fruit for 10 years though. I remember a family friend from years ago who had a large mature tree and it produced a wonderful crop.

[lazza]

Something quite different would be a fig. Or how about damsons?

[Trillium]

If I recall correctly, to process medlars for food you need to let the fruits almost rot to get the taste ( ). The birds would love it if that's your plan but you might find it rather stinky otherwise.

My gran had a mulberry tree and it was a big 'un. Lots of berries I had to fight off the birds for. I didn't find them all that tasty but hungry kids aren't fussy. I've never seen mulberries on dwarf rootstock though.

Have you considered growing a nut tree, like maybe hazelnuts which are a bush?

[jonewer]

Does anyone grow apricots? Are these hardy enough to survive our climate?

Thanks!

[Totty]

They are fully hardy, but flower early in spring. The blossoms will need protecting with fleece if frost is forecast, a south facing wall would be perfect.

Totty