Grass under Apple trees ?

[Losos]

When we moved here in 2014 there were three apple trees and a pear, and a lot of miscellaneous flowering shrubs, ivy, brambles, and heaven only knows what else around them.

I have cleared most of this now and my OH wants to bring grass up close to the tree trunks. I don't think that is such a good idea, for example how would any feriliser that I might want to apply ever reach the roots if it is all grass.

As with any marriage we are each going to compromise but how close to the tree trunk should we allow the grass, would an area 10ft square be about right or should it be more..............or less :?:

Suggestions, advice from anyone more experienced than I would be most welcome. (Divorcing the wife is not an option )

[veggiechicken]

You could compromise and have grass half way round and bare soil on the other half!

It probably depends on how mature the trees are. Small ones would do better with bare soil around.

[SusieG]

Losos, can't really advise, but I have a big old apple tree that was completely choked up with brambles, nettles and lots of ivy winding its way up it... And it produced MASSES of good apples.....

I'm trying to clear that area, make it more aesthetically pleasing... It has bare soil around it at the mo, but I will be planting loads of spring bulbs in the area when it is time ....

So, here's to compromise (!) and I'd say go with what VC advised, above .....

[FB.]

I grow my trees - half standards on vigorous MM111 or M25 rootstock - with grass all the way to the trunk.
I find it makes the below-ground (rootstock) highly resistant to crown and root rot, possibly because the grass quickly absorbs water so root-rotting diseases don't have long to attack before the soil isn't wet enough.
Grass competition against vigorous rootstocks also seems to give a good balance between growth and fruit, and reduces the incidence of bitter pit.

Too much feeding will cause bitter pit, especially if feeding follows winter pruning. An established tree on strong rootstock shouldn't need much feeding. Only dwarf or semi-dwarf need feeding their whole life. Also beware dwarf rootstocks will need really good growing conditions if their root zone is invaded by grass.

But beware using strimmers because they will damage the bark and either cut off sap flow or allow disease to enter the wounds.

[Losos]

FB - Thanks for a quick reply and sounds logical. My slight worry was if the grass doesn't get cut too often any diseased or damaged fruit that might fall will stay unseen on the ground. Every thing I read says that this is bad. I guess I'll have to make sure I cut the grass under the trees regularly (That will please OH)

ETA:-
They are standard trees, not dwarf or semi dwarf, no idea about rootstock but each tree is about 4 metres high and my guess would be that they were planted by the first owner which would be around 1985 so they are approaching 30 year old trees.

I do hope to keep them, they seem to fruit well.

[Losos]

It probably depends on how mature the trees are. Small ones would do better with bare soil around.

I wouldn't describe them as 'small' each is roughly 4 metres high and new growth going higher than that. They are close to the house and there's a concrete path between them and the house so it's really only a semi circle beyond that which is going to be either grass or bare soil.

[Bigmallly]

In my experience, wives are always right so I'd grass right up to the trunk. You could always underplant with Daffs, Crocus's etc.

[Losos]

I have a big old apple tree that was completely choked up with brambles, nettles and lots of ivy winding its way up it... And it produced MASSES of good apples.....

I'm trying to clear that area, make it more aesthetically pleasing... It has bare soil around it at the mo, but I will be planting loads of spring bulbs in the area when it is time ....

So, here's to compromise (!) and I'd say go with what VC advised, above .....

Yes, the Pear had loads of Ivy around it, I would say it almost killed it. I have removed it and attacked the roots so I hope that we won't see that anymore

The previous owner seemed oblivious to the dangers of Ivy, she had it growing everywhere, it climbed the chimney brest right up to the roof and into the chimney itself, it was only when my neighbour pointed out to her that it could start a fire that she had it cut back, but only the top bit, we still had a lot to remove from the walls

I've declared war on Ivy and try to remove it where ever I see it

[Losos]

In my experience, wives are always right so I'd grass right up to the trunk. You could always underplant with Daffs, Crocus's etc.

'evening Bigmally - Yes, that's been my experience too anyway FB has suggested this and some of his other posts indicate to me that he knows a bit about fruit trees

[SusieG]

Yes, the Pear had loads of Ivy around it, I would say it almost killed it. I have removed it and attacked the roots so I hope that we won't see that anymore

The previous owner seemed oblivious to the dangers of Ivy, she had it growing everywhere, it climbed the chimney brest right up to the roof and into the chimney itself, it was only when my neighbour pointed out to her that it could start a fire that she had it cut back, but only the top bit, we still had a lot to remove from the walls

I've declared war on Ivy and try to remove it where ever I see it

I, too am waging a slowly-winning-war against the 'dreaded ivy'....!!!!!!!
I cannot understand people who plant the stuff willy-nilly and let it take over - it's just soooo DESTRUCTIVE!
Glad you've got some intelligent responses to your query, losos - enjoy your trees - and the grass!!!

[Losos]

enjoy your trees - and the grass!!!

Thank you SusieG - If I remember (and still breathing ) I will do an update in about a years time and I might even have mastered the art of posting photos by that time as well

[SusieG]

Oh, BTW Losos ~ welcome to the Vine from me..!!
Flippin eck - ignore me - you actually joined 12 months ago .......(I'm usually quite harmless...!!!! )

[BUFFS]

When we moved here in 2014 there were three apple trees and a pear, and a lot of miscellaneous flowering shrubs, ivy, brambles, and heaven only knows what else around them.

I have cleared most of this now and my OH wants to bring grass up close to the tree trunks. I don't think that is such a good idea, for example how would any feriliser that I might want to apply ever reach the roots if it is all grass.

As with any marriage we are each going to compromise but how close to the tree trunk should we allow the grass, would an area 10ft square be about right or should it be more..............or less :?:

Suggestions, advice from anyone more experienced than I would be most welcome. (Divorcing the wife is not an option )

When you marry,you learn to compromise....so, I am the boss in my house and my wife said I could say so.....

[Bigmallly]

Oh, BTW Losos ~ welcome to the Vine from me..!!
Flippin eck - ignore me - you actually joined 12 months ago .......(I'm usually quite harmless...!!!! )

He just doesn't rabbit as much as some.....................

[Losos]

Grass under apple tree

He just doesn't rabbit as much as some.....................

Actualy I forgot it's 12 months, where did that year go