Fruit Trees on Allotments

[stavroslinni]

Hi all, been given the go ahead to plant some fruit trees on my allotment (although time is getting on a bit so id need to hurry up if i am). Ive read some mixed views of trees being on allotments due to the size of some of them, the land being tied up for years, shade, water etc.
Basically what do people think about them ? Do you agree that they should be allowed on allotments or should people refrain from planting them ??

[BarleySugar]

We allow dwarf ones on our site, anything over 6ft has to be pruned back, although if it was in the middle of someone's plot we would not be so bothered as if it was shading someone else.

[FB.]

Fruit "trees" dont need to be trees.

Good choice of rootstock, variety and annual pruning will make all the difference.

Unfortunately, most people neglect pruning until the tree has grown large and untidy, from which it is difficult to ever get it back into an attractive shape.

Additionally, many people instinctively want to grow a Bramley. However, Bramley is one of THE most vigrous fruit trees available; often overriding the effect of dwarf rootstocks.

Thirdly, apple rootstock MM106 is by far the most common, but on the quite good, enriched soils of allotments, it can get quite large (4metres/13ft) even with an "average" variety, while with a Bramley, it could reach 6 metres.

So I would suggest:

M27 or M9 rootstock for Bramley
M9 or M26 rootstock for most other apples.
MM106 rootstockm for the slower-growing apples.
Pixy rootstock for plums.
St.Julien A rootstock for the slower-growing plums.
Quince C rootstock for pears.
Quince A for the slower-growing pears.
Gisela rootstock for cherries.

Prune at least once per year.
Winter pruning to invigorate and "tidy-up" apples or pears.
Early spring pruning to invigorate and "tidy-up" plums or cherries.
Summer pruning (mid-July-early-August) of new shoots if a tree shows signs of being too vigorous.

[FB.]

Note that the above suggestion is for the above-average depth and fertility of soil often found on an allotment.
It does not apply for domestic gardens, where the soil is often average at best and the dwarf rootstocks may not have the vigour to grow well in thinner, less-fertile soils with nearby competition from grass, weeds or shrubby plants.

[Maccabee]

Or you could grow your fruit trees as Espaliers

[Aberdeenplotter]

I so love FB's posts. Always bang on the money and giving much more than the very minimum needed.

thought that needed saying.


Now my personal view about trees on allotments. It's been touched on already and the most important factor for me is the effect that the trees will have on neighbouring plots. Be that shade or be it problems with spread of roots, anyone planting trees must make sure that their neighbours are not disadvantaged as a result.

[donnakebab]

I have 4 trees on my plot. 2 are situated at the end by the road access so won't affect anybody and the other 2 are evenly spaced along one of the edges.The neighbour it would affect, if at all, has spent the last 2 years growing weeds which affect my plot more than a bit of shade from 2 young fruit trees. If the neighbours get thrown off this year I may take it over myself and plant more fruit trees.

[super trowel]

We are no longer allowed to plant fruit trees, unless we remove a tree first.
I have loads of space in with my chickens, so am looking for some good ideas too

I currently have 2 apple trees which have seen better days, and am pretty sure we won't have the pleasure for much longer.

I have removed 3 trees already, and possibly have another one to go too.
Have just planted a pear tree

Am thinking maybe a cherry and possibly peach?

[Two_Sheds]

Arthur up my site has got a simply beautiful tree patch on his plot: I'll try and get some photos today if I can

[stavroslinni]

thanks all hmmm funny you say that FB....guess what i had in mind ..... A BRAMLEY, may give it a miss though now lol. Im a bit worried about the whole shading/neighbour annoying saga part.
Though I think if i were to possibly grow some trees as a cordon they should stay within a reasonable height ( 6 ft maybe?? ) Not allowed cherries been told too invasive so may just be a dwarf tree for the garden. Just apples and pears on the allotment

[northepaul]

I have 14 trees spread over 3 allotments (two are half plots) The most common rootstock I use is M26 for apples, as FB recommends...its not too weak, is tolerant of more weather and soil conditions than M27 and is not going to grow into a massive skyscraper.....perfect!

[northepaul]

thanks all hmmm funny you say that FB....guess what i had in mind ..... A BRAMLEY, may give it a miss though now lol. Im a bit worried about the whole shading/neighbour annoying saga part.
Though I think if i were to possibly grow some trees as a cordon they should stay within a reasonable height ( 6 ft maybe?? ) Not allowed cherries been told too invasive so may just be a dwarf tree for the garden. Just apples and pears on the allotment

Annie Elizabeth - lovely cooker or maybe a Peasgood Nonsuch (just love that name!!)
I didnt know cherries were particularly invasive....surely if they are well maintained???
Allotment chiefs have some odd ideas!!

[Speed Gardener]

I've got 28 fruit trees on my plot, 24 apple and 4 pear...they're all cordons so won't be getting very big at all! Besides, we have more of a shading problem with the large hornbeams that border our site.
There is one plot holder who rescued some conifers a few years ago and planted them on their plot, but these had to have a haircut by council decree as they were getting a bit big.