fruit trees proplem/ issue

[aaron1985]

hi i have a plum.apple and cherry tree which i got brought about 6 months ago but only over the last month theyve started to loss there leaves, i water them twice a week but to me im not over watering them or underwatering them but not sure. i need help as im new to this and looking for advice please. here are photos of the trees many thanks

[starloc]

As long as the soil isnt dust dry, i would not water them, the roots will then grow to look for water , the soil should be damp enough from now on,

Are they surrounded by the grass, you want to have no grass around the tree as it removes nutrients from the roots of the tree

[aaron1985]

hello thanks for your reply yes there is grass around the bottoms. im hoping the trees dont have problems as there losing there leaves. should they be losing there leaves or am i worrying over nothing

[WendyC]

I have an established plum tree in the garden which has been losing it's leaves. It's a little earlier than usual but it has been very dry here. You would expect them to lose their leaves as Autumn approaches. As suggested clear grass from around trunk. I think about a metre circle is usually recommended. I'm assuming you are in the UK. Perhaps you could add your location to your profile.

[aaron1985]

Yes sorry live in the uk I didnt know if its common for fruit trees to loss there leaves I posted picture to help people understand what my problem could be many thanks

[rustylady]

UK may be a small country Aaron, but growing conditions vary widely. Might help if you were a bit more specific as to your location.

I'm in Lowestoft (East Anglia) one of the driest parts of the country, so my growing conditions are very different to those in the Southwest or Scotland.

[FB.]

A few days ago, on a similar topic, someone said:

I think what you have got there is a serious case of Autumn.

The only concern would be whether the branch in the first picture (which is entirely leafless) has been killed by disease. Any chance of a picture showing the whole tree, since that can also help spot problems.

But judging by the amount of shadow on the grass in the picture the tree is probably planted in a cold, shady spot and therefore likely to be late to leaf-out, late to blossom, late to ripen fruit and early to drop its leaves in autumn.

[aaron1985]

Hi thanks for the reply the trees get quite a bit of sun during the day im in kent, ashford

[rustylady]

Hi thanks for the reply the trees get quite a bit of sun during the day im in kent, ashford

You could change your profile location to Ashford, Kent Then it will show on your posts.

[allotmenteer ashford]

Dear Aaron, there are number of things you need to bear in mind about this.
First, did the trees come 'bare root', with the roots just wrapped up, or were they pot-grown, ie actually fully rooted into the pot not just plunged into compost. If the former, the trees will indeed root into the soil and find their own water. If the latter, they'll need extra help for at least a couple of years while the roots reach out from the pot-shape they've grown in, and spread into the surrounding soil.
Second - have you staked your trees? The purpose of a stake isn't to support the stem, but to hold the roots still in the soil so that wind doesn't move the plant around, breaking fragile new roots as the plant rocks.
Third, losing leaves is often a response to stress, especially lack of water. Of course, autumn has come now and we have loads of rain, the stress is off. But if your trees were pot grown, you should be ready to give extra water next spring and summer. HOWEVER
Four - what type of soil are you on? Ashford has dry free-draining sand, horrible claggy clay, and a band of really nice loam near the river. If you're on the claggy clay, you do need to be careful not to drown your plant. The soil should be moist, but not puddling with water. Plums are more tolerant of waterlogging that some fruit trees, however. Would you say roughly where you are? I'm on the horrid clay near Victoria Park. Do check out our new allotment and growers website Ashford Allotments - home - we're new, we really welcome all views, feedback, articles and suggestions from people like you.