John Downie
An old favourite loved for making crab apple jelly.
Producing bright green young leaves, attractive pink buds in spring opening into wonderfully scented white apple blossom followed by large bright orange and red pear-shaped fruits in the autumn.
Raised in 1875, named by E. Holmes to honour his friend John Downie a Scottish nurseryman and partner at the Handsworth Nursery, Whittington, England.
It produces a vigorous, standard tree shape, tolerant to clay soils, flowering in April. As well as producing some of the best crab apple jelly it will also provide fruit for wildlife if fruit is left on the tree over winter.
Pollination Group
For further information click here
What will my trees be like when they arrive?
Our trees are supplied as bare root trees in the dormant season (usually December - March).
- 1 year old "maiden" trees will usually arrive as a single, flexible stem (or some varieties will also have some side-shoots). Our 1 year-old trees are at least 90cm tall and can be up to 150cm (3ft - 5ft).
- Our older trees are 2 or 3 years old, usually have some branching and may have some fruit buds. They are between generally 110cm and 150cm (4ft - 5ft).
Trees that have grown over 150cm will be pruned to a bud at the top to fit into the packaging.
Choosing the right size rootstock
M26 – Medium-Small. A great size for gardens, M26 is a semi-swarfing rootstock, with trees growing up to 2.5-3.5 (8-11ft) high. Also good for espaliers and cordons. Space trees 3-4m (9ft-12ft) with 4m (12ft) between the rows. Starts fruiting after 2-3 years.
M116 – Medium. A semi-vigorous rootstock, with trees growing up to 3-4m (10-13ft) high. Very similar in size and abundance to the MM106 below, but better for wetter soils. Good for half standards, espaliers, cordons. Space trees 3.6m (12ft) with 4.5m (15ft) between the rows. Starts fruiting after 3-4 years.
MM106 – Medium. A semi-vigorous rootstock, with trees growing up to 3-4m (10-13ft) high. Space trees 3.6m (12ft) with 4.5m (15ft) between the rows. Good for half standards, espaliers, cordons. Starts fruiting after 3-4 years.
M25 – Large. A very vigorous rootstock, with trees growing to 6m and sometimes more (20ft+). Space trees 5m (15ft) with 6m (20ft) between the rows. Grow as full or half standard. Ideal in poorer soil and exposed sites. Starts fruiting after 5-6 years.
To buy your tree, select the size and year below, and click add to cart
Delivery
Postage is standard across mainland Britain. The cost is calculated in the checkout, based on the number of trees you order, and so the number of parcels required.
Whenever you order your trees, they will be despatched for delivery bare rooted during the winter planting season, which runs from early December to late March.
Trees that have grown over 150cm will be pruned to a bud at the top to fit into the packaging. Read more about planting your bare root trees here.
Collection
If you would like to collect your trees from us, just select this option in the checkout. We will be in touch when the trees are ready for collection, to arrange a time.
If you require any further help or assistance, there's information on rootstocks, pollination and planting out under the advice tab in the main menu, or please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Choose options