Opportunity to get some fruit trees, is it worth it?

Gardening to 'grow your own food' from square foot to half an acre !!
Post Reply
User avatar
elliebear15
Lively Laner
Posts: 108
Joined: 18 May 2014, 10:22
Gender: Female
Location: Near Lancaster, Lancashire

Opportunity to get some fruit trees, is it worth it?

Post by elliebear15 »

Hi all
I may have the opportunity to go and dig up some fruit trees, but it has to be this weekend - beginning of August!
Which is of course when all the fruit trees are busy making fruit.
There is a pear, a bramley apple, 2 plum trees, all about 8-10 foot high.
And a damson and crab apple, 2-3 foot high.
They are free! As long as we do the digging up.
But does anyone think they would survive being dug up at this time of year?
I have to convince my OH too that this is a good idea. He is the primary digger so to speak ...
User avatar
Mo
Legendary Laner
Posts: 15368
Joined: 30 Apr 2007, 09:39
Location: Cheshire (nr Chester)

Re: Opportunity to get some fruit trees, is it worth it?

Post by Mo »

I guess it depends how much you disturb the roots. They say the roots are as big as the top. How big a crater can you leave behind?

If you do try it dig a big hole first, where they will go, and water them well before and after moving.
Dance caller. http://mo-dance-caller.blogspot.co.uk/p/what-i-do.html
Sunny Clucker enjoyed Folk music and song in mid-Cheshire
tosca100
Lively Laner
Posts: 454
Joined: 09 Sep 2012, 18:59
Location: Bulgaria

Re: Opportunity to get some fruit trees, is it worth it?

Post by tosca100 »

Presumably the people giving you them want rid, so there is nothing to lose except a bit (lot) of sweat if you try to move them. Yes, they will probably drop fruit and leaves, but if they are going to be got rid of and you want them, why not? I love having fruit trees, as do the chooks and geese.
Because my memory is not brilliant......http://debrazzaman.blogspot.com/
fabindia
Legendary Laner
Posts: 2058
Joined: 03 Oct 2010, 20:23
Gender: Male
Location: North East

Re: Opportunity to get some fruit trees, is it worth it?

Post by fabindia »

Worth going for if you have nothing to loose.

It certainly isn't the best time to moving trees. If you buy fruit trees as 'bare root' then they are dispatched late winter for planting when they are really dormant.

The trees at 2 to 3 foot should be easy enough, and the crab apple will be especially useful as a pollinator if you have other apple trees. The trees at 10 feet will be a bit more of a problem but if you can get them them out without too much root damage they might do alright. Even if they drop their leaves and seem to not be doing so well, it would be worth leaving them through the winter, it is amazing how things can come back in the spring.
Michael
User avatar
lancashire lass
Legendary Laner
Posts: 6528
Joined: 28 Jun 2007, 15:17

Re: Opportunity to get some fruit trees, is it worth it?

Post by lancashire lass »

It really is the wrong time to be digging up and planting fruit trees and I'm not convinced they will survive. No matter how careful, you will be disturbing the roots and it takes time for them to establish - you could perhaps give the top growth a severe pruning to reduce water loss through the leaves (and definitely remove all the fruit - better for the tree to survive and enjoy future crops) Also ensure they get a lot of water throughout the rest of the year - bury a pipe into the roots so that you get the water right where it is needed. As pointed out, if they are free then you have nothing to lose but be prepared to expect losses
User avatar
elliebear15
Lively Laner
Posts: 108
Joined: 18 May 2014, 10:22
Gender: Female
Location: Near Lancaster, Lancashire

Re: Opportunity to get some fruit trees, is it worth it?

Post by elliebear15 »

Well, we went and had a look, and came back with 2 trees.
We have a small crab apple, only about 3ft high, which was very easily moved, and is looking fine.
Also a damson, about 4-5ft high, which didn't take to the move very well, it was looking very sorry for itself by the time we got home.
They both went straight into the ground and had loads of water - a huge thunderstorm and rain like stair rods helped an hour later.
Most of the other trees were just too enormous. My OH reckoned the trunks were the same width as his leg (he is a chunky lad!) so they couldn't be moved without some big digging equipment.
But there is a plum and a cherry, about 7ft high, they will be difficult to move but it could be done. We are going to wait till they have finished fruiting (thank goodness, it gives them more of a chance) and then go back and move them.
I think I will ask the lady if she wants my OH to take his chainsaw up to take down the huge ones - I hate killing trees but she can't keep them and it helps her out as she won't have to pay someone to do it, and we can take the firewood for our stove at least.
Just keeping my fingers crossed for the damson and giving it lots of TLC.
Post Reply