apple trees in a hedge?

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to fill my new yard in midcoast Maine (zone 5) with deliciousness and have bought three standard old fashioned apple trees that I'd like to put on the road side of my yard. I'd like to incorporate them into a living hedge, but I don't know if it's OK to plant other things like roses or plums, etc. near enough to them to make it seem like a hedge.

I like the idea of the apples eventually forming a higher canopy to the other plants in the hedge, and I've thought about getting a set of other fruit trees to establish a line. I'm thinking of plums, peaches, cherries, etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts about ways to make this workable and attractive? Suggestions of plants would be most welcome. I'm currently considering choke cherries, gooseberries, currents, raspberries, blackberries...

My goals:

1. Deliciousness
2. Beauty
3. a screen from neighbors down the street.

Thanks for your help.

DJ

With apples, fungal issues can arise from poor airflow; just something to take into consideration. Also remember that rabbits love young apple tree bark, so protect the base as soon as it's planted, they can kill a tree fast.

If you plan on using them as a screen, plant them so their mature canopies have enough space (no reason for them to shade each other, especially when different fruit trees can grow at different rates).

If you're looking for speed......mulberry! I don't know if I would plant another mulberry by my house, but I love the big adult tree out by the tool shed! They are messy but so is the choke cherry, and I believe they are slower growing.

For apple trees....I can't say enough about Tom Brown at Apple Search:

http://www.applesearch.org/buy.html

I have young 3 trees from him, recently planted, and they are doing great. Excellent price, even with shipping.