Orchard
Apples at Birch Grove orchard
Early in 2017 we were looking to diversify the croft and make practical use of a sloping site with restricted height availability, in addition to providing a food crop. So our venture into orchard planting started. Research into suitability for the site and for the climatic conditions on the north west coast of Scotland was undertaken. Our main focus were apples, with a few pears, cherry and plum to add variety.
Consideration was given to the height and span of trees to be grown. For apples, dwarfing rootstocks were an option with MM106 being semi dwarfing, producing trees between 3-4 metres tall suitable for gardens and small orchards. We also investigated apple varieties on more vigorous rootstocks which could be pruned regularly to control height and spread. A similar flowering period was required to aid cross pollination which we took into account.
Mindfull of the above, we choose some traditional Scottish heritage apple varieties along with well known ones with a good reputation to grow well in most locations. Similar consideration was given to the choices of pear, plum and cherry varieties. (These are listed at the end of the apple varieties below).
By July 2017 we placed our order for bare rooted stock grown in Perthshire for collection and planting in late autumn/winter. Planting took place in December 2017 during a spell of frost free weather.
At the time of writing spring 2025 our trees are well established and have been bearing fruit. Long term our orchard plan includes, regular pruning which helps prevent spread of disease, controls growth and promotes health and productivity of the trees. Surrounding the orchard we have a shelter belt of mature birch trees and newly planted woodland. Areas of wild flowers have been established to attract pollinators to the orchard.
Apple varieties at Birch Grove Orchard
Beauty of Moray
Use: Dual purpose eater/cooking
First recorded in 1883 as a Scottish variety
Rootstock: MM106
Bramley
Uses: Cider, cooking
Rootstock: M25
Charles Ross
Uses: Cooking, cider, sauces
Rootstock: M26
Coul Blush
Uses: Cooking
Most northerly bred Scottish apple
Early harvest
Rootstock: MM106
Discovery
Uses: Eater
Well know early easy to grow
Origins in south of England in 1949
Rootstock: MM106
East Lothian Pippin
Uses: Cooking
Origins in Scotland 1883
Rootstock: MM106
Emneth Early
Uses: Cooking, sauces
Origins in south of England, reliable in Scotland
Rootstock: MM106
Fortune
Uses: Sweet eating apple
Harvest mid season in Scotland
Rootstock: M26
George Cave
Uses: Sweet eater
Harvests late August in Scotland
Rootstock: M26
Grenadier
Uses: Cooking
Harvests early, hardy and disease free
Rootstock: M25
Hawthornden
Uses: Cooking
Productive Scottish fruit mid season
Rootstock: MM106
Katy
Uses: Eater
Does well in Scotland
Rootstock: MM106
Keswick Codlin
Uses: Cooking
Reliable hardy, early September harvest
Rootstock; MM106
Red Charles Ross
Uses: Cooking and eating
Large fruits does well in Scotland
Red Fortune
Uses: sweet eating apple
Grows well in Scotland
Rootstock: MM106
Red James Grieve
Uses: Eater
Juicy red apple medium size
Rootstock: MM106
Ribston Pippin
Uses: Eater
Reliable in all areas of Scotland
Rootstock: unknown
Stirling Castle
Uses: cooking
Large mid season green fruit
Rootstock: MM106
Sunset
Uses: eating
Reliable cox type apple late harvest
Rootstock: M25
Top fruit varieties - Birch Grove Orchard
Cherry - Black Oliver
Large black round fruit on F.12.1 rootstock
Cherry - Governor Wood
Old variety with large black round fruit on very dwarfing Gisela rootstock
Pear - Beth
Reliable eater for Scotland on pear rootstock
Pear - Gorham
20th century, reliable rusty yellow on pear rootstock
Plum - Gordon Castle
Greenish yellow self fertile Scottish variety on St Julien rootstock
Plum - Victoria
Reliable red eating plum on St Julien rootstock