I have a family apple tree with 3 types - James Grieve, Golden Delicious (much, much tastier than the ones from shops) and Egremont Russet, all grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock After about 20 years, it is now about 2.5x2.5m, with branches starting about 1.2m from the ground. However, I wouldn't recommend a family tree to a beginner because pruning is critical and somewhat more complex, with incorrect (or lack of) pruning resulting in an unbalanced tree with many of the issues mentioned above. However, if you are prepared to put the effort in to read-up on pruning, they are a great way to utilize a relatively small space.
I also had a duo-pear and duo-plum and agree entirely with @pansyface over those and wouldn't recommend any type of 'family' pear or plum. Both of those have now been 'divorced'!
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Agree with many comments. We have a duo pear with beure hardy and williams. They are doing ok and producing fruit but they are are growing at a much faster rate than expected...maybe root stock not as told. The idea is great but again as others have said much research is needed to plant just what is needed in your garden so that the height etc is manageable and the tree productive.
I bought a duo cherry tree end of 2019 cooker one side and an eater on the other side one side died and the other had three cherries on it last year, I have also a bush cherry which wants putting in a bigger pot when the weather allows.
Some very good points there so thankyou everyone. I'm a novice, so will need to learn to prune in time anyways, but I think a few 'normal' fruit trees, or dwarf, would be better than the duo type.
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