![]() ![]() The key is to only cut out what are known as the 3Ds – diseased, dying and dead wood – plus any crossing branches or branches that point inwards. Over-pruning stimulates lots of lush new growth at the expense of fruits. Pruning is often regarded with some trepidation, but a few judicious cuts can really invigorate a struggling tree. ![]() If your trees are too big to net, Barbara Pleasant has some great ideas for deterring birds from bothering your plants. Make sure it reaches the ground so that birds can’t get in from underneath. ![]() If your trees are small enough, some jail time may be in order – for the trees, not the birds! Use canes or stakes to support netting and prevent it from touching the foliage. Hungry bullfinches and other birds will sometimes steal the developing buds of fruit trees such as pears, plums and cherries in winter and early spring. The best defence against all insect pests, though, is to cultivate a garden that encourages biodiversity, so that beneficial bugs can police the pests for you. Grease bands on trees over winter can prevent the wingless female winter moth from gaining access to the branches to lay its eggs. Some insect pests such as winter moth can cause flowers and fruits to fail. Grass and weeds will compete with your trees for water and nutrients, so keep them clear of the trunk for the first few years after planting to give your trees time to properly settle. You can cloak the soil surface around your trees with compost or manure at any time, but the best time to do this is in spring or autumn. They release nutrients at a steady rate and improve soil structure, promoting good, honest growth and fruiting. Homemade compost, or manure from a trusted source are the best options for building soil fertility. Quick-release fertilizer can result in weak, soft growth that is produced at the expense of flowers and fruits, and that can prove attractive to opportunistic pests. ![]() Soil conditionsįruit trees tend to be tolerant of most soil conditions so, while it’s tempting to give them a boost of fertilizer to encourage a bumper crop, this often has the opposite effect. It goes without saying that avoiding the use of pesticides will greatly improve your trees’ chances of successful pollination. Most fruit trees need a pollination buddy to set fruit successfully, so make sure your tree has a compatible partner-in-crime nearby. Remove the covering during the day so insects can get in to pollinate. If frost is forecast when trees are flowering, cover them if you can with garden fleece or tulle overnight. If you’re able to provide screening – for instance by planting a hedge – then this is worth trying.įrosts can kill off blossom. During bad weather insects are more likely to be active within a sheltered garden than an exposed one. This can happen for a number of reasons, the most common being a lack of insect activity.īees and other pollinators are reluctant to go on the prowl for nectar when the weather is windy, rainy or cold. The prime suspect in most cases is a lack of pollination. If your fruit trees are proving to be mystifyingly unproductive this year – whether it’s a case of no flowers, flowers but no fruits, or only tiny fruits – then it’s time to put on your deerstalker and get out your magnifying glass, because a little detective work is required. ![]()
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