Fruit tree growing

How to grow fruit in the UK

This website provides extensive information on how to grow fruit in the UK, including pruning fruit trees, thinning, fruit tree pest control, planting fruit trees, training fruit trees as espalier, fan, cordon or stepover, and much more.

Fruit trees – essential activities in June 2020

Pests in June

This time of the year, after weeks of dry and warm weather conditions, aphids can be a problem. On cherry trees there are black aphids, on apple trees there may be rosy aphids that are curling up the leaves. On plum trees, the effect of leaf-curling aphids is very noticeable. In addition, woolly aphids are very active, particularly on older trees. The warm weather has influenced the speed of development of these pests to a great degree. Whichever method of control is used, it is important not to kill the natural predators such as ladybirds and lacewings. Check the products available in your garden centre to control these pests.
This is also the right time to place pheromone traps for codling moth and plum moth. This will give you an indication of the build-up of these fruit-damaging insects. As far as caterpillars are concerned, you can hang rolled-up lengths of corrugated cardboard in your fruit trees. Caterpillars will use them for shelter. Remove and replace the cardboard as necessary.

Thinning

Many fruit trees have been damaged by spring frosts earlier on in the blossom stage. Therefore fruit thinning may not be necessary. If this is not the case, on apple trees it is important to reduce the clusters of young fruitlets to just two fruits per cluster. Pears and cherries do not need to be thinned. Plums and peaches do.
Watch a video tutorial on how to thin apples.

Watering

After such a long period of dry weather in many areas, young trees in particular may be short of moisture. Apply water when appropriate.

Planting

If you are planning to plant fruit trees when dormancy starts in late November, now is the time to start preparing the sites where the trees are going to be planted. It would be a good idea to order the trees now.

Read more information on tasks for June in the garden orchard.

If you need further advice or assistance, contact Dan at enquiries@realenglishfruit.co.uk or by using this web form.

How to start a garden orchard

In this website, you will find knowledge regarding the principal factors to consider for a garden orchard. Here they are in summary:

1. 1. 1. Find a suitable site for growing fruit trees. It should be free from spring frost and hail, and should be reasonably sheltered. Read more about the ideal site for growing fruit trees.
      2. Check that the soil is suitable for growing fruit trees. It should be moisture retentive, rich in organic matter, and well drained. Read more about the soil for growing fruit trees.
      3. Protect the trees from deer, rabbits, mice, badgers and other animals. A tree guard is a simple and very effective way of protecting a fruit tree. Watch a video tutorial on how to plant a fruit tree.
         
      4. Have access to water in drought periods. Regular watering is essential for newly-planted trees in spring and summer, and for all trees when rain is scarce. Read more about weather effects on fruit trees.
      5. Control pests and diseases when necessary. Many problems can be solved without chemicals, by optimizing the action of natural predators. It is well worth visiting your trees regularly so that you can see the onset of any problems early on. Click here for our interactive tree care index.
      6. Have a means of storing fruit once picked. Read our tips on when to harvest, how to store fruit, ethylene filters, and how to ripen pears.

Trees in trouble

Sometimes, you may run into fruit tree problems. Perhaps you want to know how to prune an apple tree. Or a tree may have stopped growing, its leaves may have discoloured or curled up, or perhaps it simply doesn’t produce much fruit. Just contact Dan Neuteboom by email (enquiries@realenglishfruit.co.uk) or by using this web form, describing the fruit tree problem. Specify your location (fruit trees are site specific, and site visits are possible depending on your location), and include some photos if possible.

Video channel

The videos published on this website illustrate the critical stages of fruit development, from the period from blossom to fruit formation, in a chronological sequence throughout the year. Click here to see the videos currently available.

Watch a video tutorial on how to cut out tree canker, narration by Dan Neuteboom, camera by John Paddy.

The healing power of nature

The healing force of nature, how to learn from the healing force of the universe and discover the beauty of life. Read Dan Neuteboom’s article about nature and healing.