Should i buy fruit trees that have abundant fruit on?

[BillyJoel]

I have been eyeing up fruit trees at the garden centre and there are several trees weighed down with fruit. I want to buy them as they are obviously good producers, but DH says that they are on their way out and this is their swansong before they die. He has not seen them. Do I buy them? Will they bit lots of fruit next year, or will they need to be amongst other same species to pollinate. I plan to buy different species for variety.
Help please. I am just a couple of years into gardening and love it but don't know much. Thanks!

[JoJoSM2]

With regards to pollinating, the label at the garden Centre will tell you if they are self-pollinating or not. Also don’t see what your husband is talking about? Fruit trees for sale in garden centres are very young so have many, many years before they die.
WIth regards to tons of fruit, with things like apples, people tend to remove some from the clusters early on in the season to make the remainder grow nicer.

[Plumpcious]

I was told (by someone who has learnt about planting fruit trees while volunteering at a community orchard) that in the first year that apple trees are planted you should remove all but two of the fruit to encourage root growth. Not sure if that applies while the trees are still in pots though.

[BillyJoel]

Thanks for these responses. I think I need to go and have a closer look and maybe a word with the garden centre.

[Pithivier]

Unfortunately, buying from a garden centre means you can't knock the plant from the pot to see its roots. This is the true test of a tree. I would buy Bare root trees from a reputable supplier. They are cheaper and usually they offer a guarantee.

Bare root trees can either be just that with no soil around the root or trees that have been dug up and put into pots ready for shipping. They will have quite loose soil around them.

Out good suppliers have help lines, so that you can choose the best tree for your needs.

[clarabellski]

I second pithivers suggestion. We've had great experience with bare root trees and fruit bushes

[JeffreySadsacIsUnwell]

One of our apple trees had abundant fruit last year and is dead this year. It was about 40 years old. That's a swansong! But I can assure you the garden centre wouldn't be selling a 40yr old apple tree..

Likely the trees were 2 years old in 10 litre pots?

I'd also recommend bare root trees (from November). We've bought several fruit trees from both Blackmoor and Adam's Apples - great service from both, happy to talk through, etc.

[BillyJoel]

OK. I'll start to google bare root trees. And leave those at the garden centre.
Sorry about your apple tree, Jeffrey.....
Thanks. Further ideas still welcome!