In March Richard Cripps, a Wiltshire based experienced professional horticulturalist visited our orchards and gave advice on the winter pruning of our pip fruit trees; apples, pears and quince. Last week Richard returned to advise us on how to prune our stone fruit trees; cherries and plums.
As with his previous visit Richard talked about the techniques of pruning, the common diseases to look out for and general care of our trees.
After an initial discussion Richard inspected the fruit trees in The Close and Community Orchard and gave advice on pruning. It was reassuring to hear that even after the extreme heat and drought of the summer all our trees were in a healthy condition. Thanks for this must go to our hard working team of volunteers who have diligently watered the trees every week throughout the dry spell.
Richard once again gave general advice on. the management of The Close and Community Orchard. He spent some time looking at the newly planted hedgerow around the orchard and was pleased to see that most of the saplings had become established. In time this hedgerow will provide habitat and food source for birds, mammals and insects.