Guidelines for fruit trees on plots - help please

[sparrow100]

My site is considering restricting any new fruit trees to either dwarfing rootstock or a defined maximum height so it includes trained forms.

Do your tenancies or guidelines define limits on fruit trees? If they do, would you mind sharing how they are phrased?

More and more people seem to want to plant trees on their plots. We have increasing issues with trees in the centre or along the boundaries of plots which then grow huge. We only have half plots so there isn't the biggest amount of space. Shade is also becoming an issue for neighbouring plots.

Any pointers gratefully received, below or via PM.

[Bill Door]

The tenancy agreement here includes

"Long-term Crops

The Tenant must not plant any trees or fruit bushes or any crops requiring more than twelve months to mature, without the written consent of the Council. "

I would personally be happy if even small trees were banned in allotments that are mainly 5 rods or less. I suspect that once you have minimum sized trees next to your plot then even if you have a 10 rod plot then trees right next to your plot would be a bit of a bind.

Bill

[Thelma Sanders]

Our present agreement doesn't allow trees - the new one we've been discussing restricts the height to 2.5m, either by rootstock choice or regular pruning.
If allowed to grow larger they will be removed by council and plot holder charged, the exact wording will be fixed on first wed in March, so I can let you know then - if it will help?

[Teabag]

Can't help on phrasing really as it was spoken word, "no fruit trees on the plot" (I'm sure the one next to me has one though) and I haven't had any tenancy letters.. yet.

[Guest]

When I had my plot you were only allowed trees in pots which I would have thought was easier to check but they have changed that to you can plant dwarf rootstock trees.

1. Trees

1.1. The Tenant shall not without the written consent of the Association cut or prune any trees, apart from carrying out the recognised pruning practices of fruit trees.

1.2. The Tenant shall not plant any trees other than dwarf fruiting trees and or fruiting bushes without the prior consent of the Association.

[Cadalot]

Our Council Guidelines state "Where possible you should plant small fruit-trees in the middle of your plot, not on the edges where they may cast shade over neighbouring plots"

[Mr Bones]

Our says..

No more than 25% of the total plot area to be used for growing trees (tree area is measured by the canopy). All newly planted trees should be on dwarf root stock.
Members must not plant trees, fruit bushes, runner beans or any other bulky crops in such a manner as to interfere with neighbouring plots and properties or to obstruct free use of roads and pathways.

[sparrow100]

Our present agreement doesn't allow trees - the new one we've been discussing restricts the height to 2.5m, either by rootstock choice or regular pruning.
If allowed to grow larger they will be removed by council and plot holder charged, the exact wording will be fixed on first wed in March, so I can let you know then - if it will help?

Yes please, that would be great - the height is what we were considering too.

[sparrow100]

Thank you, that's all very useful stuff - if there are any other variations I'd love to hear them.

[Baldy]

I haven't got a copy with me but we do say no more than 6ft in height -

[BUFFS]

be careful when buying "dwarfing rootstock" as I bought some that included a bramley some years ago, assured it was dwarfing, it is now trained espalier type along the side of the drive and is about 10-12ft tall now as I wasn't able to get out to do a winter prune of the leggy top growth, but, in mitigation, I do love my apple pies, crumbles, tarts, etc. the pear beside it, same age, a Williams, is about 6ft, and if it doesn't start to crop this year I will remove it and put something like a nice russet in there..

[johnjohn]

Sorry Sparrow only just noticed this. Ours says:

Not to plant any fruit trees or fruit bushes or any crops that require more than 12 months to mature without prior, written consent of the Council.

I have 3 pear and 3 apple all on dwarfing RS. I haven't heard of permission being refused.

[Greenleaves]

All our site requires is that consideration is given to shading of other plots

[Bill Door]

So Snadger, when the Council/owner needs the land to build houses on you will have several trees to stand on but no legs!

Or if the council/owner wants an allotment for a family member they will know where to go.

It is one thing to press for permission it is another to ignore the social niceties of the community.

Bill

[devonuk]

The "dwarfing rootstock"rule would be impossible to enforce and easily broken either deliberately or accidentally. I would have a height restriction and a "pots only" rule: you can get enormous pots from a well-known auction site, more than adequate if the rootstock is genuinely dwarfing. If I had an allotment I would want my own trees in pots anyway in case I thought I might want to move on, or the site might be sold for development.