APPLE TREES

I want to give something back to our world and the nature that is ours; to be loved by us and to be protected. Having left Cornwall in 2006 The Platt was left to itself and it burgeoned. Blackthorn had made its presence felt, taken over to the detriment of other plant life, but only in part. That’s nature at it most vigorous and if time had permitted I would have wanted to get in there to see what was there. In normal human fashion to permit our use, the digger went in. I look back on that now as being very brutal and, although, feeling some guilt we have seen how wildlife, plantlife and birdlife can appear rapidly again for us to see and enjoy.

It is full of greens and in summertime colourful flowers with pollinators on the flower heads. Our focus at the moment is to use the dormant months to plant trees that will give a variety of flowering times and will fruit as well. All will become food sources for everything that visits us.

Apples and orchards have always been part my life having been born in Herefordshire. I roamed the old orchards as a child and knew the names of many trees. My Great Grandfather, John Edwards, was said to have been an authority on cider apples and Hereford cattle. It feels that for the first time in my life to plant apple trees is the correct thing to do. We have been discussing and intend to purchase ‘bare root’ trees.

Research with chrisbowers.co.uk through the website has been helpful. Because The Platt is our summer home what could be better than an early cropping Worcester Pearmain desert apple. Its partner could be Beauty of Bath which crops early too.  Both these flower at about the same time and that is essential for pollination to occur. It’s simple because if that does not occur there will be no fruit. What we are able to purchase and what will suit our needs and the trees to be able to bear fruit is what research will show us.

CRAB APPLES

I remember one crab apple tree on a farm where my father worked as a tractor driver. It amused me into thinking why does this tree exist. It is not edible although the fruit looks delicious. I know of its uses now and an important one, is that it is a pollinator. And so the research goes on to pick one for us.

Examining the list of trees I think that Golden Hornet is my first choice for a Crab Apple. It will grow to about 11feet and is known as a good pollinator. My joint second choice is firstly Hillieri,  a smaller tree growing to 6-8 feet and flowers for a long period. An alternative would be, Butterball, bushy headed at 12feet. It will depend what they have in stock when we order and the considerations we give to the spaces available. All of these will pollinate trees that we buy.

DESSERT APPLE TREES

The selection for desert and cooking apples is lengthy. I always take note of what has been produced locally. The Cornwall Gilliflower Apple Tree it is said, was noticed, in a Truro garden in the 1800s. It is a mid-season variety but we do have more early ones to choose from. For example Epicure & Exeter X that can both produce in August. It will depend on availability.

OUR CHOICES

HILLIERI is our crab apple choice for two reasons. It has flowers for a longer period than most and will only grow up to 8 feet. There were other options, but one crab apple tree should be enough.

BEAUTY OF BATH was one of our first thoughts. It is top of the list still. For reasons previously explained CORNWALL GILLIFLOWER is our second choice. Having looked through the catalogue we became interested in VISTIBELLA - Michelle liked the Spanish connection - and so it is on the list. It is also an early fruiter, a strong grower and it is crisp and juicy to eat. We want M9 rootstock which will not grow that high. Delivery will cost £8.95.

So, four trees in total. Will there be room for one more and possibly a plum? We chose HERMAN for the plum although not a deliciously sounding name it comes well recommended. I copied this in. A very early plum that is usually ready for picking in late July. The fruits are medium sized, blue-black and free from the stone with ease. The quality is outstanding and the flavour good. Self fertile, no pollinators required. This sounds very good and fruiting in July.

Our Trees

Planting has to be in winter time. I suggest clearing a four foot square of vegetation which can be put into the bottom of the hole. That will be two foot square and two foot deep. It can be refilled with compost (leaf matter from the Beech trees), bone meal (a natural product) to aid growth. Compost will help the worms especially if we mulch the area around the trees.

Tree guards, ties and bone meal. The last two from Amazon. Tree guards could be plastic netting or recycle two litre plastic bottles inserted into the earth and pegged down as well.

On 7th December we ordered on line four apple trees and a plum as mentioned above. Total cost £127,65 with a delivery date within 28 days to be sent to Cornwall. All delivered by 2nd January and will be planted this week. There’s a storm down there so there will be need to water! Matt left at 3am on 3rd and is in site  from this morning to do the job.