Suffolk Fruit and Trees

Fruit trees are now starting preparations for their winter shut-down. Any dead wood in the trees needs to be removed.

To invigorate growth, apple and pear trees can now be pruned any time from now on until the end of March. Dense tree canopies need to be opened up now by taking out large branches.

This will improve the air flow through the tree canopy and reduce the incidence of fungal diseases. Any sizeable pruning cuts will have to be sealed with a sealing compound.

It is now too late to prune apricots, peaches, nectarines, cherries and plums.

To reduce the possibility of fungal diseases, (peach leaf curl, canker, scab, etc.), orchard hygiene is important. Remove all rotten fruit and scabby leaves as these diseases will overwinter and affect next year’s crop. Use a good rake or a vacuum blower to ensure that you get rid of all fallen leaves affected by fungal diseases. Ideally, do this before mowing, which otherwise would pulverize the leaves. Don’t compost leaves and grass cuttings, because this would give the fungal spores another chance to infect your plants and trees. Winter wash can also be used to help protect cherry and plum trees from bacterial canker.

Even though the pear and plum trees will be looking bare, their buds are at risk of damage from pigeons and bullfinches. You will find a simple remedy on our website.

This is the right time to start preparations for planting new trees.

Read more tips for fruit tree care in November here. Write to us at enquiries@realenglishfruit.co.uk if you need help and advice.

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Garden orchard assistance

Can we introduce ourselves? We’re Dan and Henry Neuteboom, based in Braiseworth, Suffolk. We’re experts in all aspects of fruit tree care, above all, Real English Fruit.

We are available for advice and work on all aspects of garden fruit trees: