ORCHARD

In the orchard there are 10 apple trees and one plum tree which were planted in the spring of 2015.

It's best for the branches to grow outwards rather than upwards and some of them are helped by adding a stone for a couple of weeks to weigh them down.  This tree shape gives more light and air to the apples.

Lots of small apples were growing but on midsummer's day most of them were snipped off so that the young trees can put all of their energy into growing this year.  We left a few extra on the stronger trees.

Each tree is tied between two stakes and is protected by plastic mesh.  The ground is covered with some black sheet to try to keep the weeds down and the mositure in.  On top of that I've added a mulch of wood chip  which the tree surgeon left when he tidied up the wooded area.

This tree has a disease called canker so it had to be cut back to below this.  It has carried on growing without any problems.

Lovely blossom in June

6 July 2016 - the wild flowers and grasses have grown up around the trees and are attracting bees and helping to break up the soild.  The few apples left are growing quickly...

19 July 2016 - this tree was leaning a lot to the right so I've used some stretchy fabric to tie it to the post and encourage it to grow up straight.