Buying Apple Trees Online
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THE BARE ROOT SEASON IS NOW CLOSED. ALL PURCHASES WILL DELIVERED NOVEMBER 2026
Fiesta (AKA Red Pippin) Eating Apple (BARE ROOT)
The Fiesta (Red Pippin) eating apple tree is the product of some well thought out and recent breeding/cultivation from the East Malling Research Station in Kent. Taking the strong flavour qualities from the Cox's Orange Pippin and the fruit longevity from the Idared (its parents), you have an easy to grow tree that provides great tasting, crisp Apples that you do not have to eat within minutes of picking. In ideal conditions, you could store these apples for several months or more although some of the sweetness disappears.
The Fiesta (Red Pippin) eating apple tree also provides Apples that have quite a high juice content, so if you are into juicing the fruits of your trees then this is a good choice especially as the Fiesta is a heavy cropping tree. Obviously heavy cropping means it provides many flowers for the bees and other insects and another plus point is that is has reasonable resistance to mildew and scab.
Should you be short of space, the Fiesta Apple Tree (AKA Red Pippin) is also good for growing in containers for the patio or just to retrict growth in general. Smaller rootstocks such as M27 do particularly well in standard sized containers e.g. 20 litres. If you are considering using larger rootstocks such as MM06, consider using around a 30-40 litre sized container. Bigger is better if you have any doubts.
Although very easy to grow and very tolerant of adverse conditions in the North UK (weather that is, not socio-economic political tensions or reluctance to give up steam power) it tends to grow as much, if not more, outwards as skywards.
If attracting bees and other pollinating insects is important to you then the Fiesta (Red Pippin) is a rich source of attractants.
Most important information
Month Of Fruiting: October
Type Of Apple: Eating + Juicing
Disease: Good resistance to mildew and scab
Fertility: (C3) PARTIALLY SELF-FERTILE. Requires another apple tree in group C2,C3 or C4 close by for maximum harvest but will provide apples without one.
Do I Need To Stake My Bare Root Tree?
Usually no, especially if under 200cm tall. Our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Usually air and light is reduced and if it is a corner with a wooden fence and the house then leeching from both could compound issues. Try to avoid.
1 Year Maiden Bare Root Trees
If you plant a 1 Year maiden tree and do not prune it at all, it will grow a little more upright and have more clear stem.
Apple Tree Jargon Explained
| | MM106 | Grows to a final height of around 3.6 metres. Usually delivered around 150-180cm for 2-3 year tree. | |
| | MM106+ | Grows to a final height of around 3.6 metres. Usually delivered around 180-240cm for 2-3 year tree. | |
| | M9 | Grows to a final height of around 2.5 metres. Usually delivered around 150-180cm for 2-3 year tree. | |
| | M26 | Grows to a final height of around 3.0 metres. Usually delivered around 150-180cm for 2-3 year tree. | |
| | M27 | Grows to a final height of around 1.5 metres. Usually delivered around 150-180cm for 2-3 year tree. | |
| | CORDON | Pruned to produce apples very quickly (1-3 years), favoured with commercial growers. More columnar than round shape. Less of a harvest compared to MM106. | |
| | BUSH | Clear stem of 45cm before branches grow out. | |
| | HALF STANDARD | Clear stem of 1 m. Conventional tree shape allowing easy grass mowing or companion planting. | |
| | MAIDEN | 1-2 years old, no pruning or shaping. Blank slate for you to shape and train. | |
| | PATIO | Shaped to produce compact bush proportional for pot size, ideal for container growing. | |
| | (12L), (3L) etc | The size of the pot measured in litres. | |
| | SELF FERTILE | Will produce fruit without another apple tree nearby. | |
| | C1,C2,C3,C4,C5 | If your apple tree is NOT SELF FERTILE (they will be listed f they are) then you will need a second apple tree nearby of a similar number i.e. the same or one above or one below. So an apple tree from a C3 requires a C2, C3 or C4 planted close by for it to produce fruit. Triploids are an exception, see below. | |
| | Bare Root | Available from November to March only. Comes with no pot or dirt around roots and is cheaper than potted options. Orders purchased outside this time will be held for delayed delivery until the next season starts. | |
| | TRIPLOID | You have a selfish tree. It will be pollinated by other trees but the pollen it has to offer is useless. See TRIPLOID POLLINATION for more information. | |
Apple Tree Ages and heights
All our apple trees have been pruned and shaped to get the best results and are inspected by an apple tree expert before being sent to you. Maiden apple trees are 1-2 years old, the rest are 2-3 years old. Heights vary depending on root stock however 1.5 to 2+ metres tall is an average apple tree height at delivery.
Bareroot Season
All bare root plants need to be planted between November and March whereas our containerised apple trees can be planted all year round. Height can be restricted by pruning or putting the apple tree in a container to restrict growth (minimum 30 litres, smaller the pot, smaller the tree will be) Select the root stock you desire from the list above or if you are unsure, telephone us on 0800 043 1057 or use the enquiry page.
Quick Fruit Tree Links
Take a look at our TOP SELLING FRUIT TREES, Wet ground issues then choose a PEAR TREE first, followed by APPLE TREES. For more information on pollination please look at choosing the CORRECT POLLINATION PARTNER
Fruit Tree Life Expectancy
Most fruit trees will give you AT LEAST 40 years of fruit. Pears can go to 70. Records of 200 year old trees exist but this is the exception, not the rule.
Do I Need To Stake My Bare Root Fruit Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. Corners of houses and fences can also suffer leeching issues so we advise against it.
