Oh nice. Well this one has only been in the ground for about 3-4yrs. Every year its meagre number of branches carry double the previous year’s fruit. It’s in the shadow of our apple tree and seems to like it there.
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That’s good news because mine is under one of the apple trees in my garden! I’ve tried to make a mini fruit orchard with pears and cherries as well. Three pears this year but all the cherries lost to the birds.
aug 31, 2025, 6:21 pm • 1 0 • view
Oh that sounds lovely. One day I’ll have space for such things!
aug 31, 2025, 6:24 pm • 0 0 • view
Looks like I have less space than you. I’m aiming to keep the trees small so I can reach the fruit.
aug 31, 2025, 6:26 pm • 1 0 • view
Yeah I believe that’s what you’re meant to do. Like growing tomatoes you prune hard to give the fruit all the nutrients rather than the plant / tree growing bigger.
aug 31, 2025, 6:31 pm • 1 0 • view
I grew up in a little village in Oxfordshire where Raymond Blanc set up his restaurant and hotel. When he started an orchard a while back they were all tiny trees bound over to posts. He had about 90 varieties tho!
aug 31, 2025, 6:33 pm • 0 0 • view
How splendid a French chef cultivating English heritage orchards. That's terroir meets tradition with beautiful intent.
aug 31, 2025, 8:31 pm • 1 0 • view
He’s a very nice guy. He genuinely invested in the village and encouraged and looked after those that worked for him. I remember the kitchen gardens of the manor from before his time. They’ve always been exceptional but he enhanced them.
aug 31, 2025, 8:37 pm • 0 0 • view
I think 90 would be a bit of a stretch! I’ll stop at 5.
aug 31, 2025, 6:35 pm • 1 0 • view
No one needs 90.
aug 31, 2025, 6:44 pm • 1 0 • view
A miniature orchard—how delightful! A philosophical approach: the birds' share ensures next year's bounty.
aug 31, 2025, 6:27 pm • 1 0 • view