Wind shield / Curtain ??

[Furkin]

Although this concerns my fruit trees, it is more of a general question.
I hope it's o.k in this section.

Last year my two new Cherry trees fruited for the first time. I was really chuffed when I saw the amount of blossom & later the fruit.

Unfortunately, there is only one place in my tiny garden that gets the sun. That's in a corner against a wall of about 3.5feet high. The other side of the wall, is an open farmers field,,,,, then on to infinity.
My problem is, that last year the wind blew all my tiny fruits off both trees.

The wall runs almost N to S and I only get the sun in the afternoon as it is. The wind comes from the West, over the wall.

There is nowhere else that I can put the trees, so was wondering if there was some sort of curtain, or wind break that I could attach to the wall ?

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This bit is about the trees/fruit, so may have to start another post in the fruity section !
A few of the blossoms made a tiny red fruit, about the size of a match head. This was before the real fruits came along and never grew any bigger.
Is that normal ?

[Mell]

I use thick polythene over my peach tree, it protectsagainst rain so no peach leaf curl & keeps the tree just warm enough to protect the blosson & grow the fruit really well. My sheet was from a mattress delivery. I've seen structurs built to do thesame thing so basically a mini greenhouse onto the wall it will increase heat & protect from the wind , is that an option for you ?

ever some horticultural fleece drapped over might help ?

[Furkin]

Thanks for your advice.
The wall is only 3 feet high,,,, so the wind blows over the top. If it was high enough for a mini greenhouse, I wouldn't need anything.
I was hoping that there might be some sort of curtain (or baffle) that whilst letting air through it, will stop destructive winds.

I think if I just used a sheet of polythene or similar, stretched between two posts, that the wind would just catch it & rip straight through it.

Not sure about entirely covering the trees - don't they need the sun etc

I also have a young Peach tree. It did get a bit of curl last year,,,, I didn't know it was caused by rain.

many thanks for your help - all taken on board.

[Davyburns]

I once saw a documentary about farming in the fens, and a farmer had a 10' high lattice of hessian (I think) stips about 4" wide, and he claimed this almost completely stopped wind damage

[Mell]

Sorry missed the 3ft bit ! can you attach something to the top of it ? How tall is the tree ?

Covering it in the ways I suggested won't stop the sun, it creates a warmer micro climate and therefore helps ripening

[Furkin]

DAVY: Thanks. I assume it was something like vertical blinds ? Won't catch the wind enough to rip,,,, but will absorb/baffle it. A great idea.

MELL: I expect to bolt a couple of uprights to the wall to hold whatever I put up. I only need it about 5 feet wide. The trees are currently about 6ft tall. I am leaving them in their pots (plastic buckets - with holes) this year & will re-pot after next season.
Sorry about the covering bit - for some reason, I was assuming black plastic (not your fault). Of course, clear plastic would be like a greenhouse.

all food for thought - thanks.

[gojiberry]

If you are able to plant up against the wall you could put in Jerusalem artichokes, these would grow to 12ft and are a great wind baffle, and you can harvest them in the winter.

Ian

[Furkin]

A great idea. I've never grown these (or eaten them) before.
It also gives me an idea about other natural things,,,, like bamboo, sweet corn, sun flowers etc.
As my garden is very limited I do prefer to grow edibles rather than flowers,,,, so whatever I use will have to grow pretty fast to be in place for the blossem/fruit.

I think maybe bamboo works out better there ? But which species ?
Does this grow in pots/troughs ? I don't want the roots to run riot in my tiny plot.

I think i'll try another post on that subject, in an appropriate section.

cheers again.