where to buy fruit trees?

Hi nick,  welcome to allotment-garden.org

I used Keepers Nursery for apples and pears and their service is excellent.  You choose what rootstock you want which will determine how vigorous the tree is (ie how fast/tall/wide it will grow) and whether it it self fertile (not all are) and can recommend other trees to buy as a companion.  This means that in springtime when the flowers are setting both trees will be in flower at the same time, increasing the chances of getting a crop.

I think (although I may be wrong) that you have missed the window for planting trees as they need to be dormant in order to establish better, that's why the nursery won't send them until around january/february so you can get them planted up before the tree 'wakes up' in spring.

I know it sounds obvious, but give a lot of thought to where you are going to put the trees too; make sure they won't shade out any beds / neighbours allotments / windows et (unless you want it to shade windows of course) and think about how wide and tall the tree will become and how close you can plant them; once they're established you can't move them around!

hope this helps

I would give them a ring first and double check.  If they are worth their salt they will be able to tell you for sure.

Trees are a long term investment. Buy the best. Plant them properly. Winter planted trees will establish best. Make sure that you water them through next Summer and possibly the next one.