planting fruit trees

[serenola]

My son is just getting into gardening so I'm trying to help... He wants to plant a row of fruit trees :apples, pears, cherries, plums ...but I want to keep them down to a certain height so they don't spoil the view from our garden. Does anyone know if it's possible to turn trees like this into some kind of hedge? If so, which varieties would you recommend?

I'm not experienced enough to tell you how to make a hedge but I'm sure soomeone will tell you!

This is just to tell you that you can get miniature fruit trees - by that I don't mean tiny ones in pots, but actual trees that don't grow above a certain height. I know this because I have a plum, pear and two apple ones growing in my garden.

also, do you like blackcurrants? They are really easy to grow into hedges I think. They were here in my garden when I moved here - I got them out and replaced them with the aforementioned small fruit trees, because i don't like blackcurrants. But perhaps your son does!

That's a really useful tip. Thanks !

www.pomonafruits.co.uk/fruit-trees-bare-root-stepover-apple-pear-trees-c-24_64.html
apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=598
realenglishfruit.com/2011/08/31/stepover-trees/
www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/ready-trained-trees-c22/step-over-t76

You could try and espalier some trees to make a hedge.

www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_espalierapple1.shtml

If looking to do this then you will need to look at the root stock the trees are growing on (most fruit trees are grafted so the root stock - the bit below the graft determines how tall the tree gets).

I have used both of thees and found them very good:

www.deaconsnurseryfruits.co.uk/
www.chrisbowers.co.uk/

If you phone them and explain what you want they will advise you.

Thanks everyone ! Some of these websites are really good.

You want dwarfing rootstock trees which won't grow too high. Most of the catalogues such as Parkers offer a bundle of 4/5 trees which give you 1 pear, 1 plum, 1 cherry and 1 apple.

I wouldn't recommend attempting espalier pruning if you are an inexperienced gardener. I've had an allotment with fruit trees for nearly 8 years now and I wouldn't attempt that level of expertise - pruning to this level really takes nous and experience