Quince tree advice please!

[nolurkynolighty]

I'd like to plant a quince tree in my back garden but unsure which variety to choose. I remember from my childhood we had a large quince tree (the size of a large, unpruned apple tree) which made tonnes and tonnes of gorgeous large yellow fruit. I would love the same, and as big a tree to start with as possible. Garden is north facing but would stick the tree down the end in the sunniest possible spot. However there are some other large -ish plants nearby including bamboo. In SE uk. Am complete novice as is probably apparent!

I am not able specify a good quince tree yet but I will look it up in my James Wong book and let you know whether he has any recommendations, but since the quince experts will be on here soon ;) I wanted to ask, having ordered a Chaenomeles japonica, whether anyone knows if it can be grown high, or will remain a shrub. In which case, nolurky can avoid such an in-tree quince? Thanks.

There is what looks like good advice on the RHS website. I don’t know how to do links but I just googled RHS quince tree so you could probably find it by doing the same. Some varieties suggested there.

Japanese (ornamental) quinces are more shrubby than tree-y, but they can get quite big nevertheless.

I've bought lots of fruit trees of all kinds from this nursery (no, I don't work for them) and there's some really good advice here plus recommended varieties for the UK.

www.chrisbowers.co.uk/article/the-ultimate-guide-quinces/

‘Vranja’ is a reliable variety, fruits well and has an AGM

I have a Vranja, which is now about 7 years old. I had a lot of quinces off it last year, but not so many this, as the frost came at the wrong time. After I’d planted it I read Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall mention Meeches Prolific as being better in a British climate:

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/oct/07/quince-recipes-hugh-fearnley-whittingstall

He’s right about watering being important - if it’s dry, they get bitter pit, so they don’t keep as well (though I continue to cook them when they are fresh off the tree).

Quinces are such lovely trees, especially when the blossom is out.

I have:
An unknown variety that someone sent me seed of from a trip to France, grown from that seed, now 8 foot tall and definitely a Chaenomeles as it has spikes.
A Giant Chinese Quince grown from seed from the one at Ryton Gardens which has now been dug up [sniff sniff] and which makes fantastic huge fruit, also a tree and also Chaenomeles.
A Champion Cydonia which is 8 feet tall
A Krumsk Cydonia which is very rare and will be grown as an espalier, also from seed from a tree at Ryton.
Another Cydonia which the name escapes me now, around 6 feet tall.

I love them...such fantastic fruit.

AT, how log did it take to grow fruiting trees from the seeds, and do you have any tips?!

My in-law bought me an unspecified one ( root stock and variety) about 5 years ago as I'd wanted one for ages, I've grown it as a half standard. It had masses of fruit last year, despite being in the north of England. Unfortunately, I've had to give it a hefty prune as it's actually quite a fragile tree and any strong wind damages it. Not to mention that our neighbors have a vendetta against it, and when ever we were away over the summer I would find they'd reached over and lopped off another couple of branches. Grump pair of turds! I've never found the ornamental quince fruit tasty eating.