Apple tree positioning

[TiddleTaddleTat]

Hi
We have two apple trees - malus domestica discovery and golden delicious. Both apparently not on a dwarfing rootstock (so semi-vigorous?) eventual height 3-5m. Bought as bare root last winter (20/21), leading stem pruned hard after planting in large containers.
We have a lawn approximately 2m wide by about 10m long, it has a privet hedge on one side and path on the other that provides access to the back of the garden where we spend most of our garden time.
The lawn is mostly in the sun although side nearest path is shaded due to garage.

My question is whether this would be a suitable spot for both Apple trees? We could certainly fit one in, pretty much in the centre of the lawn, but I gather two is better as they cross pollinate ?

We would be hoping to prune twice yearly (inc summer) so that we have bushier, low trees. The two varieties also fruit at different times so that would be quite good eating - wise!

We already have a crabapple (professor sprenger, dwarf rootstock) and prunus serrula, but both are ornamental.

Advice gratefully received

@TiddleTaddleTat

This picture might help?!

It might if we could see it [grin[

Damn - it appeared as I hit post! Sorry about that.

If that garage is a single car garage, the lawn is nowhere near 10m - might be 10ft. I'd say one apple tree at back and one at front. The bees will travel that far.

there are some amazing heritage varieties that are well worth trying out Indeed there are. My favourites are Cornish Aromatic, herrings Pippin and Brownlees Russet. But you won't get them on a family tree unless you graft them yourself.

Yes you may be right, I think the garage is 7m and the lawn extends a bit beyond. Maybe closer to 8m long.
Any thoughts on positioning of an espalier given aspect etc?

It's from Tesco so it could be anything. Just put them where you want, and prune them to be a columnar tree - you will still get fruit off them, just keep pruning back to above an outward facing bud.

It’s possible ? I feel like I’m bad to square one so I can basically keep them at the size / form I want by summer pruning. I thought as much but needed reassurance !

Check the garage size, 7m I think is long for a garage

You could espalier them. Pele say it’s hard work but I’ve never found it so.
I’d you get the rhs book of pruning it shows you all the states, summer and winter pruning. If I spend an hour a year on each tree I’ll be surprised.

Also thinking of pollination, do none of your neighbours have apple trees?
Bees travel about 500 meters minimum so I would have thought your crab apple or any neighbours blossom would be fine. I know someone who hand pollinates about 100 peaches every year with a paint brush!

Sorry about the typos 😳.
My espaliers run north south and do well. Plant them along a path maybe. What aspect is your garden?

Just seen your diagram.
East West is fine for espaliers.
Mine are along the path and make me happy every time I walk past, which is several times a day.

Espaliers on a non-south facing wall are fine in the South but may struggle if in the North.

Thanks for all these ideas!
Alas we are in the north and I think the north facing wall that we have (the garage wall with the path) is not suitable for much really.
The privet takes up a lovely south facing side. I am loath to put much in the ground nearby as it leeches all of the water and nutrients. We can’t remove that.
I am considering some sort of freestanding espalier in the lawn, probably with the apple/s planted on the west facing side so we can see them from the house.(although I suppose both sides will be visible).
The garage is only just within permitted development, it is huge!!
I will check out that pruning book thank you, I prefer reading to watching videos.

@Ohyesiam is this the book you mean? www.amazon.co.uk/RHS-Pruning-Training-Revised-Plants/dp/024128290X/ref=nodl_?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Oh I’m interested in following up these pruning ideas myself too, thanks.

Also love the idea of Pele giving out advice on pruning Ohyesiam

This is the size of my apple tree (daffodils around the trunk) after 11 years. It usually has an autumn pruning after the apples have been harvested.