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Stepover Apple & Pear Trees

Are you looking to add a touch of elegance and productivity to your garden? Stepover apple and pear trees might be the perfect solution. These low-growing fruit trees are trained to grow horizontally, making them an ideal choice for gardeners with limited space or those seeking a unique aesthetic.

 

Stepovers are ideal for planting at the front of ornamental borders and vegetable plots to form a low edging that is both attractive and productive. Cultivated since Victorian times, they are basically one tier espaliers that are low enough to simply ‘step over’ where necessary. Stepovers are supplied in a ‘Y’ shape with two main shoots that can be trained out in opposite directions at about 45-60cm (18-24in) above the ground. On receipt you will need to tie the arms down gradually (in several stages) to a horizontal supporting framework (not supplied). Allow 2.4-3.5m (8-12ft) total spread per tree. Trees are available from late November to late April.

 

What are stepover fruit trees?

Stepover fruit trees have been grown since Victorian times and are perfect for creating attractive borders in your garden. These trees are trained to grow at a height that you can literally ‘step over’. They’re an excellent way to maximise fruit production in small spaces and add structure to your garden design.

 

The appeal of stepover apple trees

Stepover apple trees are particularly popular among UK gardeners. They offer several advantages:

  • Space-saving: Ideal for small gardens or allotments.
  • Decorative: Create beautiful edible borders.
  • Easy maintenance: Pruning and harvesting are simplified due to their low height.
  • Productive: Despite their size, they can yield a bountiful harvest.

 

Choosing your stepover apple tree

We offer a wide variety of stepover apple trees for sale in the UK. From classic cookers like ‘Bramley’s Seedling’ to popular dessert apples such as ‘Cox’ and ‘Braeburn’, you’re sure to find a variety that suits your taste and growing conditions.

 

Stepover pear trees: a delightful alternative

While apple trees are the most common choice for stepovers, don’t overlook the charm of stepover pear trees. These can produce delicious fruits while adding diversity to your fruit garden.

 

Caring for your stepover fruit trees

Stepover trees require regular pruning to maintain their distinctive shape. However, their low height makes this task much easier than with standard fruit trees. They’re also ideal for those who struggle with mobility, as all maintenance and harvesting can be done at a comfortable height.

 

Get started with stepover fruit trees

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a novice, stepover apple and pear trees offer a unique and rewarding way to grow fruit. Browse our selection and transform your garden with these charming, space-saving trees. With proper care, your stepover fruit trees will provide you with delicious homegrown apples and pears for years to come.

 

Remember, at Pomona Fruits, we’re here to help you choose the perfect stepover fruit trees for your garden.

 

Don’t forget to include a Gripple Wire Tensioning Kit on your order, the easy way to support stepover fruit trees. For better establishment we strongly advise using Rootgrow when planting (as recommended in RHS planting guidelines).


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(image for) Stepover Apple 'Blenheim Orange'
£39.95Stepover Apple 'Blenheim Orange'An old favourite. This dual purpose dessert/culinary apple was discovered in Oxfordshire in c1740. The large attractive fruits have a distinctive sweet nutty flavour and are excellent with cheese. When cooked the fruits keep their shape. Resistant to mildew. Suitable for the north. Sold Out 
(image for) Stepover Apple 'Bloody Ploughman'
£39.95Stepover Apple 'Bloody Ploughman'First recorded in 1883, there is an interesting story behind the name of this well-known Scottish apple. It originates from the Carse of Gowrie where allegedly a ploughman was shot dead by a gamekeeper for stealing apples from the Megginch Estate. When the ploughman's body was returned to his wife she found some of the stolen apples in his pockets and got rid of them on the rubbish heap. One of the seedlings that subsequently grew produced apples that were blood red in colour and the tree gave rise to the cultivar that was named after the unfortunate ploughman. The fruits are crisp and juicy and when fully ripe can darken to an almost purple colour. The flesh is often stained red which makes it a good variety for juicing and it can also be used to produce cider. It is often considered a dessert apple in Scotland, but the flavour is not particularly sweet and in England it tends to be regarded as a cooker. It makes lovely apple sauce and beautiful pink pies and crumbles. The tree is disease resistant and hardy, performing well in colder areas of the UK. Sold Out 
(image for) Stepover Apple 'Cox self-fertile'
£39.95Stepover Apple 'Cox self-fertile'The classic English dessert apple. This is a self-fertile sport of Cox’s Orange Pippin - almost exactly the same but self-fertile. Sweet with a rich, intense, aromatic flavour. Unsuitable for the north or wet areas. Sold Out 
(image for) Stepover Apple 'Egremont Russet'
£39.95Stepover Apple 'Egremont Russet'The most popular russet apple, raised in England 1872. Very distinctive nutty flavour. Resistant to scab, mildew and canker. Can be grown successfully throughout the UK. Sold Out 
(image for) Stepover Apple 'Greensleeves'
£39.95Stepover Apple 'Greensleeves'This disease resistant dessert apple is easy to grow and will crop heavily from a very early age. The golden fruits have an occasional pink flush and are crisp with a sweet and refreshing flavour. Can be grown successfully throughout the UK. Resistant to scab. Very attractive blossom. Sold Out 
(image for) Stepover Apple 'James Grieve'
£39.95Stepover Apple 'James Grieve'A classic dessert apple, raised in Scotland in 1893. The attractive bright red flushed fruits have a crisp yet melting flesh with plenty of juice and excellent flavour. Picked early, the fruits can also be cooked and are delicious stewed. Good resistance to late frosts. Does very well in the north. Resistant to mildew. Sold Out 
(image for) Stepover Apple 'Katy'
£39.95Stepover Apple 'Katy'This very attractive dessert apple was raised from a cross between two of our favourite British apples - James Grieve and Worcester Pearmain. It produces heavy crops of medium sized bright red fruits with a firm, finely textured flesh. Sweet and very juicy with a refreshing flavour, sometimes characterised with a hint of strawberry. Very popular with children but also an excellent variety for juicing as it produces beautiful pink juice. Easy to grow, very disease resistant and suitable for cooler areas. Sold Out 
(image for) Stepover Pear 'Concorde'
£39.95Stepover Pear 'Concorde'An excellent pear often grown commercially and suitable for most locations. Raised from a cross between Doyenné du Comice and Conference, it has inherited the best attributes from both its parents. The medium-large pale green fruits have a smooth, juicy flesh with a sweet pleasant flavour. Suitable for dessert and culinary use. Crops heavily and reliably from an early age. Sold Out 
(image for) Stepover Pear 'Conference'
£39.95Stepover Pear 'Conference'Over 100 years old, this is the best known and most popular pear variety in the UK, suitable for most locations. The long narrow fruits are firm and juicy with a sweet, pleasant flavour. Suitable for dessert and culinary use. Reliable and heavy cropping. Produces a fairly compact tree. Sold Out 
(image for) Stepover Pear 'Williams' Bon Chretien'
£39.95Stepover Pear 'Williams' Bon Chretien'Raised in 1770, this is probably the best known and most widely grown pear in the world, suitable for dessert and culinary use. The medium sized fruits have a pale green/golden skin finish. The flesh is sweet, very smooth and extremely juicy. A reliable and heavy cropper, suitable for colder areas. Sold Out 
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