Trees

No, duckyjuk, the multi-coloured ones in the front of the house with pots on them which seem to be holding nothing up but the pots!

:D :D I am keeping fingers crossed that that will be the case - and not a trace of guilt :D :D

We find that rather than actual frost damaging our plum trees, it is when we get very cold winds after the blossom has been fertilised and the fruitlets beginning to set. If your trees are in a windy spot and you get that kind of one sided fruit survival, it well could be the same problem. Apart...

Sadly, strongy, I haven't got room for one or believe me there would be one! Moving somewhere warmer does mean you can have all the tropical / sub-tropical plants you've always loved. I've resorted to things in big pots ... I'm currently nuturuing two Lychees started from pips at Christmas. I...

I wonder If your trees were stressed, due to possibly lack of water or the fact they are in sandy soil, which will not retain the water, like clay would.Is it possible to add some organic matter or topsoil to the sand to try and give you something to retain the water, or try mulching when the...

The black stuff on the leaves is probably a fungal infection called scab, very similar to Blackspot on roses. AND the cure is the same, add some systemic fungicide to your water. It is fairly normal for Pears to get it. Remove and fallen leaves and do not compost them. As for the health of the...

First of all, old apple trees like this often do not fruitreally well, they are getting past their sell by date really. However, they are easy to look after as they should not really be pruned heavily. Any dead or dying branches may be removed in Autumn/Winter as should one of any branches which...

I've heard of one called StumpClear too - don't know if it's the same thing, or even if still available, as it was a few years ago I knew of it, and things have changed alot in those few years!

I have been using a soap spray on mine and they are almost completly recovered but it has taken 2 or 3 seasons.

Tree still not resolved yet - other things afoot at the moment - more of which another day.However, the weeping tree I saw at the garden centre and couldn't remember the name of is Caragana arborescens 'Walker' (Siberian Peashrub) and my friend has also spotted it elsewhere so this is another...

For what its worth, I think its a burr as well. Oak apples seem to occur on the ends of the branches and drop off at the end of the season. I dont doubt that it was caused originally by some insect years ago attacking the growing point and forming a strange growth pattern, but I dont think its...

Many thanks Palustris. Will try that. Steve.

Good to hear :D - long may it last.

Fantastic flowers close up and magnificent on a mature tree. The red variety never grow so large as the white. Introduced into Britain in 1616 from Albania, N. Greece and Macedonia.Obly, obly-onker, My best conker, Obly, obly O, My best go!

Thats a pity jjordie, the bees love it, it was alive with buzzing today.

this might fit the bill - from the RHS Plant Selector. There are photos on the site, if you go to www.rhs.org.uk, and follow plant selector and type in "betula", several birches will appear, and you can compare them :- Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Doorenbos' BetulaceaeTime to...

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. I'm going to leave the tree until the summer is over but will give it some more thought in the autumn. I'm not a very knowledgeable gardener so I'm not sure what the plants/trees are that you have suggested but I will be sure to look them up and have a...

Looks like cherry to me. Hoe off the suckers and legally you are allowed to cut off any branches that overhang your property. If you are bold, you could excavate the main roots below the trunk and saw through them just as you would cut back the branches. Do you object to the tree itself or...

Lady G:I'm assuming you have it properly staked to prevent root rock and the site was well prepared.Personally I'd just keep it well watered (Not that it's necessary this week :D ) Manure mulch or other feeding is likely to slow root development whereas you want the root system to...

RHS Online, Horticultural advice: Hardwood cuttingsMost Prunus (Cherry, plum etc.) should root fairly easily but be patient and don't be tempted to disturb them and peek at the roots as it will likely damage the delicate new tissue and cause them to fail. If you use deep 'rose' type pots for...