Moorpark Apricot Tree

Prunus armeniaca ‘Moorpark’ is the most popular and commonly grown apricot variety in the UK, and for good reason. This very reliable small to medium sized tree produces large, golden-yellow apricots with a sweet, juicy flesh and rich aroma. Ripening in August, ‘Moorpark’ apricots are ideal for eating fresh, cooking into jams, or baking into sweet treats. We think they’re delicious baked into cobblers, but they can also be dried for a tasty, nutritious snack. This apricot variety is self-fertile, meaning no other trees are needed for pollination, making ‘Moorpark’ an excellent choice for gardens with limited space.

Offering plenty of interest beyond its fruits, Apricot ‘Moorpark’ grows dainty white, pink-tinged blossom in spring, which emerge from deep pink/red buds for a lovely floral display. The flowers are followed by lush green leaves, which are finely serrated with a pointed tip. Prunus armeniaca ‘Moorpark’ prefers a full sun and ideally sheltered position, as well as a moist, well-draining soil.

• Use: Dual purpose, Cooking and Eating
• Cropping period: July/August
• Flavour: Rich and Sweet
• Latin name: Prunus armeniaca ‘Moorpark’
• Heritage:
• Pollination group: Self Fertile
• Height in 10 years*: St Julien A (or Torinel) 6-8m

*This is an indication of the un-pruned height of this variety of Apricot in 10 years. Variations will occur when different factors are introduced such as planting position, pruning, geography etc.

Planting Advice for Moorpark Apricot Trees

Apricot trees should be spaced at approx. 3 metres between trees. Our pot grown Moorpark Apricot trees can be planted at any time of the year, whereas bare root apricot trees can only be planted between November and March.

Prepare your planting site by removing all weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole (or holes) then dig a square hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 3x as wide. To help your tree establish more effectively, we advise applying root grow (sprinkle in the hole for pot grown trees or prepare and apply the gel mixture for bare root trees), especially if you have poor soil.

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 apricot trees using a stake and tie kit and rabbit guard. For further information, visit our advice section.

Watering & Aftercare

If you’re planting in spring, summer or dry weather, water well and regularly for the first few months. Make sure to keep an eye on young apricot trees and increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. If you’re planting in autumn, you may only need to water your tree a little. Once you see the fruit begin to swell, water again. We stock a range of irrigation kits to help.

Once planted, it is important to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons.

Pruning Advice for Moorpark Apricot Trees

Unlike some of our other fruit tree varieties, apricot trees should not be pruned whilst dormant. The best time to prune your apricot tree is after the coldest part of the winter has passed but before they start to flower. February is normally a safe time, depending on how severe the winter has been. Apricot trees require quite hard pruning and should look a little gappy but will soon improve once the flowers come to life in early spring. Apricot trees fruit on 1 year old wood so the pruning technique for these trees is sometimes referred to as ‘replacement’ i.e. replacing old wood with new wood.

When pruning your apricot tree, you should aim to have between 3-5 main branches, forming an open, vase-shape. Remove any old shoots (grey in colour) as they will not produce fruit. Also remove any damaged, dead or diseased branches. Make sure the centre of the tree is open, allowing air and sunlight to reach inside. The branches that are one year old will be pinky red in colour and should be trimmed back to approximately 45cm in length.

Delivery Costs

*Free delivery promotion excludes mature trees, extra large kits and delivery to Highlands or Islands. Discount applies at checkout.

Delivery Times

Next Day Despatch
We will always try to get your plants to you as quickly as possible.  For many of our trees and plants, if you order today we will despatch your order within 24 hours.  We are constantly adding to our range of next day plants, and we do not add a surcharge for this service. Click here to see our next day delivery plants.

Standard Delivery
We have one of the widest range of trees in the UK, and for those plants which we cannot despatch next day we will normally despatch within 4 weeks. The despatch time for different products will be confirmed when products are added to your shopping basket

Pre-orders
We will only want to deliver your orders when they are perfect for planting! Depending on the season and how well the plants are growing, we will give our best estimates of the despatch dates for pre-orders.  These dates may vary and by species and while we will always try to deliver within these timeframes if the expected despatch does change then we will notify you by email.

Special Orders
Orders containing pleached or mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) are delivered within 3 weeks. They require specialist delivery and are grouped geographically. Any customers ordering pleached or mature trees will be contacted and notified of their delivery date.

If your trees are required by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible; while we can’t offer any guarantees we will always do our best to accommodate you. You can leave instructions in the notes field on the Delivery Page of the Checkout or send us an email at [email protected].

Please note that orders are shipped once all the trees in the order are ready.

Collections
Collections are by appointment only at our West Yorkshire-based nursery. If you would like to place an order for collection, please get in touch before placing your order. You will not be charged a delivery cost for a collection and any delivery cost that has been applied 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. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:

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

Single Stem tree: Classic tree with one trunk, pruned for a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.

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

Multi Stem tree: 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 give the appearance of a bushy multi stem tree.

Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a 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.