Gary Harrison wrote:

Hi All,
Never been here before but having a scan round there looks to be some
knowedgable folk on here, so hopefully someone can help.

I have just bought a house (Next door) that has several (about 15)
mature fruit trees, Plum, Apple, Cherry, Pear.

I know that these trees have not been looked at for over 15 years and
the whole plot of land has been left to nature.

The trees have all got loads of fruit on, and we have managed to get
about 6 carrier bags off the ones we can get to.

The problem is that the trees have been left to there own devices, and
the best fruit is above the canopy which is about 30 foot up!

I want to manage these trees but i don't know where to start, at the
moment they are far too high, but i can't go in and cut them to hight as
i might loose the tree's

I need expert help, I live in Sheffield and am concered that a normal
tree surgen might not have the knowedge to work on these fruit trees.

Can anyone offer suggestions.


Yes..

You will need a program over several years to rejuvenate these trees..

If you try and do it all at once you will only stimulate the tree into
massive growth the following year.

For most of the above this will be a mixture of both summer and winter
pruning.. Winter to do 'major' work eg work on the framework and
overall shape of the tree.
Summer to encouage fruiting growth for next year and ripen the current
years fruit and keep the tree under control..

I sggest visiting the library and taking a look around some good
bookstores in the gardening section or on the net for books on fruit.
The RHS series are a good place to start, although certainly not the
'bible' when it comes to fruit pruning..

Joining a local allotments or Horticultural soc may also put you in
touch with those used to growing fruit and caring for tree.
//
Jim