which fruit tree to buy?

[pinkcowprint]

im thinking of buying my friends baby a fruit tree to plant in their new home for him as a christening present,they love pottering in the garden and would use the fruit to cook with,which kind of fruit tree would you reccomend for easiness and looks nice?
i have been told a bramley is a good one. thanks

[masterchef]

A Bramley Apple is a good choice, lovely blossom and a versatile fruit to cook with.

[4getmenot]

dont go to my local Homebase as me and my friend went with her 4yr old daughter and whilst we were looking at paints her daughter came round corner with a basket full of lemons she had picked off the tree :-)

[brenda]

Can't beat a Bramley in my view, lovely blossom, prolific cropper for cooking, but can grow large unless you get a mini one.Alternative a Victoria plum, self fertile kind , just in case bees are in short supply.What a beautiful gift.

[4getmenot]

but in answer to your question I agree with an apple tree. xx

[pinkcowprint]

thanks everyone!i think its a nice present aswell,something for him to grow with!better than a money box!

[Clanad]

You can never go wrong with a good apple...'though I'm unfamiliar with the referenced Bramley living, as I do in the western U.S. Only a word of caution; whichever variety you choose, make sure of it's mature size. Nothing worse than planting a "cute" 4 foot high sapling to find in 4 or 5 years that it's out grown it's space.

Ok, Ok, second word of caution... assure the varietal doesn't need a second tree for fertilization... most these days will grow and produce quality apples by themselves, though... Nice thought... what's the old proverb?, "...true faith is planting a tree under whose shade one will never sit..."

[buildersmate]

Bramley is a traditional English variety, Clanad. I'm sure we could arrange a export licence for you to try.
The other thing worth knowing, PCP, is that fruit trees grow to a size according to the root stock that the Bramley is grafted onto. There are at least three different sizes of rootstock - pick the large one and you will get a tree that grows to about 4.5 metres high.
Also no use going to a place like Homebase for this sort of stuff. Go to a proper plant stockist. The larger Wyevales (or equivalent) are OKish, but better to find a real fruit specialist to help you with this stuff.