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Fruit TreesIt is best to plant fruit trees in sunny positions, as fruit will ripen better. Autumn and Winter is fantastic for planting these fruit trees as long as the ground is not frozen solid. Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum, Quince, Damson. Medlar, are all grown traditionally grown in England Register for FREE if you have not already registered and then click HERE to create a NEWTOPIC and tell us about your some of your favorites?
Apples You need to consider the root stocks which dictate the size of the tree when it is mature. For example, an m27 rootstock will be a smaller tree than a tree on an m9 rootstock ... and so on. It is vital that you find out about the right variety pollinators as without good pollination, your yield will be poor. It is worth having a tasting session, before purchasing your trees and finding that in a few years time, when you go to harvest, that the flavour is not to your liking. You always need to stake the trees when first planted and after a couple of years you can halve the height of the stake. This halving of the stake, still supports the tree, but sends a strong message for the roots to keep growing. When you stake trees, it is important to position them so that the worst winds will force the tree away from the stake, as this reduces the risk of wounding the tree. It is best to position all these types of fruit trees in soil where there have been no fruit trees, Roses, Mountain Ash, Laurel, Hawthorn, or any other rosaceous shrubs and trees. Pears These are also available in a range of rootstocks, for example in "Quince A" rootstock will make a bigger tree and a "Quince C" rootstock can . Pollination is still vital and therefore compatible varieties should be planted near to one another. They say the trees should be within 40 feet of each other which is within pollinating distance., The rest is, as per the Apples above. Cherries Most Cherry trees are on colt rootstocks and are less vigorous than most but can still reach over 15 ft with age. The only real trick is to net the trees with age, if you would rather have the fruit than the birds. Compatible pollinators is essential and even the self fertile ones will benefit from other ones of the same flowering varieties nearby. Cherry trees can only be pruned in the summer. Plum The rootstocks are" St Julian A" at 15 ft in 10 years in height and spread and "Pixy" which is nearer 9 ft in the same period. Summer pruning is best as the tree will suffer if pruned in the winter. Watch out for wasps when harvesting. There are self fertile varieties such as Victoria, however it is always more fruitful when they are nearer to each other. Quince Cydonia is the true Quince, with its large felty leaves and dark wood. Has Large, golden fruit which keeps for a couple of months after harvesting. Brilliant for Jam and Jelly recipes. Grows 15 by 15 ft in 10 years and loves good drainage. May suffer from mildew in wet springs. Damson As Plums and Gages. Medlar or Mespilus germanica. White flowers in Spring/Summer and large furry underside to leaves Quite ornamental as a shrub/small tree. Spiky stems The fruit are best harvesting and storing for 3 weeks or so before consuming. The fruits are ready when they turn from green. If picked when brown and look over ripe they will be very sweet. |
