Fruit tree growing

This website was designed to provide high-quality information on growing fruit trees in a garden, including pruning fruit trees, thinning, fruit tree pest control, planting fruit trees, training fruit trees as espalier, fan, cordon or stepover, and much more. It presents the work of Dan Neuteboom, who is still actively involved in growing fruit and trees, applying the experience developed during his career as a successful fruit grower in Suffolk, UK, for well over 50 years. Dan Neuteboom is available as an advisor to solve fruit tree problems and provide consultancy on planting and pruning fruit trees in Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. For further information, just send an email.

Dan Neuteboom’s approach to fruit trees

“It has been my pleasure to live and work with trees all my life. Trees of all origin, all ages and of all patterns of shape. Each tree, in life, has to fight its own battle in order to survive and make the best of each situation that may occur, be it drought or flooding, severe winter frost, or an attack of insects for which there are no predators around to help to restore the balance in the tree’s immediate vicinity. “Then there are the various diseases which the tree may struggle to deal with when its immunity levels are at a low level. I have had the good fortune to be able to observe the various ways trees cope with these situations.

“My specific field of interest has been the lives of fruit trees. The owner or grower is able to encourage the health and well-being of the trees at their various stages of development, influencing their fruitfulness over the course of their existence.
“We provide advice on pruning fruit trees with videos on winter pruning, summer pruning, and the basic principles on how to prune fruit trees.
“The pleasure of looking after trees well is enhanced by having the right tools. A well-designed pruning belt, made specifically to hold various tools such as secateurs, thinning scissors, saw and tying material, is very useful.
“There is a lot of information on this website, but if you think that something important is missing with respect to your particular needs, just send me an email to enquiries@realenglishfruit.co.uk. If in any way possible I will forward you my suggestions.”

Video channel

Videos are becoming a highlight of this website, illustrating 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.

Here is one of our latest videos, Dan shows us how the tree itself provides indications on when the fruit is ready to pick, and which apples should be picked and which should be left on the tree. Click on the thumbnail below to watch the video on picking apples and when the fruit is ready to pick. Narration by Dan Neuteboom, camera by John Paddy.

Tree care section

It is an absolute truth that trees communicate with us as human beings. It is up to us to recognise this fact through careful observation, which enables us to interpret the behaviour of the tree to mutual advantage. There is a lot of free information on this website that will help growing fruit trees successfully. Click here for our interactive tree care index.

We would like to provide three tips that are so important that we prefer to mention them right here on our home page.

Firstly, any newly-planted tree should have a rabbit guard to protect the trunk from damage caused by hares and rabbits, but also by cats and dogs. The type of guard depends on the wildlife you have in your area. (Click on the photo below to watch a video on rabbit guards for fruit trees).

Secondly, the very best way to ensure that the trees get a really good start is – in the growing season, in other words from April to mid-September – to give each tree one or two full watering cans each week..

Wild flower meadows and fruit growing

Our third suggestion regards wild flower meadows and their function in improving fruit tree cropping. We planted our own wild flower meadow several years ago, and we have seen how marvellous it is in providing a home for pollinating insects, above all in years of extreme climatic conditions. Click on the photo below to find out more about wild flower meadows and fruit growing.