James Grieve Apple Tree

Apple James Grieve is a fantastic dual purpose apple. The apples are juicy and tangy picked straight from the tree in early September and if left on the tree into October become a sweeter fruit. The good flavour of Apple James Grieve and the attractive red flushed skin makes this a popular variety. The flesh is not crisp but instead eats more like a firm pear. James Grieve apple trees are from Edinburgh in 1893 and so is ideal for Northern areas or less favourable sites.

Pollinatation with an apple in group A, B or C within a half mile radius is required. In addition to our regular rootstocks, we offer this popular dual purpose apple tree on a very-dwarf rootstock and also as a mature tree.

AKA Malus domestica 'James Grieve'

• Use: Dual Purpose, Cooking & Eating Apple
• Flavour: Sweet, tangy
• Cropping period: Mid season (Early September)
• Keeping period: 1 month
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit
• Latin name: Malus domestica 'James Grieve'
• Heritage: Edinburgh 1893
• Pollination group: B
• Height in 10 years*: M26 2.5-3m, MM106 4-5m, M25 5-8m

*Indication of the un-pruned height of this variety of apple tree on different rootstocks in 10 years. Variations will occur due to geography, pruning etc.

Planting Advice For James Grieve Apple Trees

James Grieve is a pollination group B apple tree and requires a pollination partner in group A, B or C within a half mile radius. Apple trees should be spaced according to their rootstock, for example an MM106 (semi-vigorous) rootstock will require approx. 4.5 metres between trees, whereas an M27 (very dwarf) rootstock will require approx. 1.5 metres between trees.

Our pot grown apple trees can be planted at any time of the year but bare root ones need to be planted between November and March. Remove weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole then dig a hole slightly deeper than your root mass and approximately 3x as wide. To help your tree establish more effectively, apply root grow. Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole. Using 50% of the original soil and 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Make sure not to bank the soil up around the collar of the tree. We recommend planting fruit trees using a stake and tie and a rabbit guard.

The Apple Tree Planting, Pruning & Care guide has more detailed information on planting apple trees, as well as videos on planting trees and using stakes and ties.

Watering & Aftercare Advice For James Grieve Trees

If you’re planting in spring or summer, water well and regularly for the first few months. If you’re planting in autumn, you may only need to water your tree a little. It is important to keep an eye on young fruit trees and increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. Keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. The Apple Tree guide linked to above provides further advice.

Pruning Advice For James Grieve Apple Trees

Pruning young apple trees for the first few years after planting ensures a healthy, goblet-like shape. Your tree should have one central leader and several side shoots. Straight after planting, you can remove the lowest laterals. Prune back other branches by between a third and half their length.

In the following years, remove any shoots growing out of the trunk to maintain a clear stem. Also remove any crossing, diseased or damaged branches. If your tree is looking overcrowded, remove some of the larger branches to open up the canopy. This type of pruning should be carried out between November and March. The Apple Tree guide linked to above provides detailed pruning advice.

Covid-19: In response to government advice and for the safety of everyone, we have taken the difficult decision to stop nursery operations until mid-April.

It will still be possible to place new orders through our website and your  trees will be tagged and reserved for you, but we will be unable to despatch  them until operations resume.

Delivery Costs

1 small tree (most trees under 1.5 metres in height) : £7.95 + vat

1 medium tree (most trees 1.5-2 metres in height) or 2-4 small trees: £9.95 + vat

2+ medium trees or 5+ small trees: £12.95 + vat

1-4 trees delivered by pallet (inc. mature Japanese Maples): £19.95 + vat

The above prices exclude the Scottish Highlands, where delivery starts from £24.95 + vat and is calculated in the checkout process.

Mature and pleached trees or orders too large for pallet: Cost is calculated in the checkout process and varies by postcode rather than quantity (starts from £48 + vat).

Northern Ireland and Non Mainland UK

Our courier charges are not viable for just one or two trees, but if you have a larger requirement then please do speak to us to see if we can find a solution.

Delivery Timescales

All trees are carefully packed by our experienced team and most are delivered within 10 days of placing the order. There's no need to be in to receive your order and you can request where it is left via the checkout.

There is a slightly longer timescale on pleached and mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) because we group orders together for specialist delivery - we will contact these customers to notify them of the delivery date.

Trees on pre-order are still growing and an estimate of when they will be ready is given on the basket page. Orders will be despatched when all trees are ready.

Gift trees and those required by a specific date can be accommodated with pleasure, although we accept no legal responsibility for late deliveries.

Our nursery is a busy despatch centre, so please make an appointment to collect or view trees.  For collections, despatch charges will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem / Pruned and shaped: Classic shaped tree with a single stem that has had pruning to help create a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted: A height noted next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Top grafted trees do not require complicated pruning and are ideal for small spaces.

Feathered: A feathered tree has branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem: A multi stem tree has two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that can give the appearance of a multi stemmed and very bushy tree.

Climber: A plant that is a natural climber and will be delivered usually running up a bamboo cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height:

Standard  either 6-10cm or 8-10cm girth, approximately 2.5-3.0m in height
Premium Standard  10-12cm girth, approximately 3.0-3.5m in height
Heavy Standard  12-14cm girth, approximately 3.5-4.5m in height
Extra Heavy Standard 14-16cm girth approximately 4.0-6m in height