Apple Duo 'Braeburn' & 'Bramley'

Where to Plant
Choose an open, sunny position with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Good levels of sunshine help the apples develop and ripen well. Avoid frost pockets and ground that regularly becomes waterlogged, and allow enough space for the tree's mature canopy to develop.

When to Plant
Bare-root fruit trees are best planted while dormant, from late autumn to early spring. Avoid planting when the ground is frozen or waterlogged.

Preparing Your Tree
Unpack your tree promptly and soak the roots in a bucket of water before planting to make sure they are well hydrated. Dig a generous planting hole wide enough for the roots to spread out naturally without bending or crowding them.

Planting Your Bare-Root Tree
Look for the soil mark on the stem showing the level at which the tree was previously growing. Position the tree at approximately the same depth, making sure the graft union remains clearly above soil level. Spread the roots naturally, backfill with the excavated soil and gently firm as you go to remove large air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots.

Staking
Stake the tree when planting to keep it stable while the roots establish. Secure it with a suitable tree tie and check the tie regularly, loosening it as the trunk grows. Once the tree is firmly established and able to support itself, the stake can be removed.

Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the first growing season, particularly during warm or dry weather. Established trees may also need additional water during prolonged dry spells, especially while fruit is developing and swelling.

Feeding & Mulching
Apply a suitable fruit tree fertiliser in spring to support healthy growth, flowering and cropping. Add a 5–10cm layer of well-rotted garden compost or organic mulch around the base to help retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping the mulch clear of the trunk.

Pruning Your Twin Tree
Prune during the dormant season to maintain a healthy, open framework, removing dead, damaged, diseased or crossing branches where necessary. Because two varieties share the same tree, keep an eye on their growth and prevent one variety from becoming significantly more dominant than the other.

Top Tip:
When pruning, make sure you can identify which branches belong to each variety. Keeping both sides growing well will help you continue enjoying both 'Braeburn' and 'Bramley' from your twin tree.

Pollination
'Braeburn' and 'Bramley' flower at a similar time, helping with fruit production on this twin tree. 'Bramley' benefits from a compatible apple flowering nearby for the best crops, and other apple or crab apple trees growing in neighbouring gardens can also provide useful pollen.

Encouraging a Good Crop
Spring blossom needs visits from pollinating insects for good fruit set. Grow the tree in an open, sunny position and avoid using insecticides while it is flowering. Protect blossom from severe late frost where practical.

When Will My Tree Fruit?
Your twin apple tree will usually begin producing fruit within around 2–4 years after planting, although this can vary with growing conditions and how quickly the tree establishes. Early harvests may be smaller, with crops becoming more generous as the tree matures and develops a strong framework of fruiting branches.

Top Tip:
Apple and crab apple trees growing in nearby gardens can help with pollination, so you don't necessarily need to have another tree in your own garden.

When to Harvest
Both 'Braeburn' and 'Bramley' are autumn apples, with the main harvest generally ready during October. Exact picking times will vary depending on the weather, your location and growing conditions.

Picking 'Braeburn'
Look for apples that have developed their characteristic red-flushed colour. To test whether they're ready, gently cup an apple in your hand, lift and twist. A ripe fruit should come away easily without needing to be pulled.

Picking 'Bramley'
'Bramley' apples are harvested while firm and green, often with some red flushing where the fruit has received plenty of sunshine. Gently lift and twist the apple rather than pulling downwards, which can damage the fruiting spur.

Harvest Carefully
Handle apples gently and avoid bruising those you plan to store. Place them carefully into a container rather than dropping them, and set aside any damaged fruit to use first.

Top Tip:
Don't assume both varieties will be ready on exactly the same day. Check each side of your twin tree separately and harvest the apples as they reach the right stage.

'Braeburn' – Crisp & Sweet-Sharp
'Braeburn' is a fantastic apple for eating fresh, with crisp, juicy flesh and a distinctive balance of sweetness and refreshing acidity. Enjoy it straight from the tree, add slices to salads or cheeseboards, or use it in baking when you want an apple that holds its shape well.

'Bramley' – The Classic Cooker
'Bramley' is the quintessential British cooking apple. Its firm, sharp flesh softens beautifully when cooked, developing a wonderfully appley flavour and fluffy texture. It's hard to beat for pies, crumbles, baked apples and homemade apple sauce.

One Tree, Plenty of Possibilities
Having an eating and cooking apple on the same tree gives you plenty of choice in the kitchen. Pick a 'Braeburn' when you fancy something crisp and fresh, or reach for a 'Bramley' when there's a crumble or pie on the menu.

Storing Your Apples
Both varieties can be stored after harvesting. Choose sound, unblemished apples and keep them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place, checking regularly and removing any fruit that begins to deteriorate. Stored correctly, your harvest can be enjoyed well beyond picking time.

Preserving Your Harvest
Extra apples can be cooked and frozen for later, made into sauces, chutneys and preserves, or prepared and frozen ready for future pies and crumbles.

Bare-Root Trees
Your bare-root tree will arrive dormant, without a pot or compost around its roots, ready for planting. It may have no leaves at this stage, which is completely normal – once temperatures rise in spring, it will naturally come back into active growth. Unpack your tree promptly, keep the roots moist and plant as soon as possible.

What Is a Twin Fruit Tree?
A twin fruit tree has two different fruiting varieties grafted onto a single rootstock. On this tree, both 'Braeburn' and 'Bramley' grow from the same root system, allowing you to harvest two different types of apple from one tree.

What Does M26 Mean?
M26 is a semi-dwarfing apple rootstock that helps control the tree's overall vigour and eventual size, making it easier to accommodate and harvest than an apple grown on a more vigorous rootstock. Growing conditions and pruning will also influence its final size.

What Does Grafted Mean?
Grafting joins the chosen fruiting varieties to a compatible rootstock so they grow together as one tree. You may notice raised areas where the different parts have been joined – these graft unions are a normal part of the tree.

If You Can't Plant Straight Away
If planting is delayed, keep the bare roots cool, moist and protected. For more than a short delay, temporarily heel the roots into moist soil in a sheltered position until conditions are suitable for planting.

After Planting
Water regularly while your tree establishes, particularly during dry weather in its first growing season. Mulching around the base in spring will help conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but always leave a clear gap around the trunk.