Monday 24 March 2014

Haircut for the Orchard

Another busy weekend in the gorgeous spring sunshine. Saturday was a good day to start pruning the old orchard trees with the sap starting to rise. Many are very old which we inherited when we moved here. Over the years the views on pruning fruit trees has changed, such as keeping them a goblet shaped and being able to throw your hat in the centre, tying the lower branches down so they will produce more fruit laterally.  But really in the past our little old trees have had a thrashing from the elements and each one has had to be treated differently, some lean with all its branches heading north due to the wind, while others head east. Anyway nearly all have had a good haircut and will soon be decorated with blossom, before producing us with the gifts of lovely sweet apples. We couldn't just chop purely to make a good looking tree they need looking after like someone needing individual tender care.
Well I'm off to make an apple crumble, thanks to our  wonderful little trees  still rewarding us with stored fruit throughout the winter.
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away".


Waiting for a haircut 


8 comments:

  1. Apple crumble from your own apples sounds just wonderful to me.

    Happy Spring ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Yes they are very tasty apples they are dessert, not cookers so they don't go mushy and have a bit of bite to them. Happy Birthday

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  2. Hello, Just now read about little Cherry, do hope she is getting on. I didn't know small sheep had such big ears! Just inland there are acres of apples, called Sea Canyon. The weather being just right, cool at night and warm in the day. Its quite a sight if you catch it in spring; but I'm always there in fall to collect. 27 variaties and its difficult to choose. Luckily my dog likes them too, so nothing is ever wasted.
    She will eat the core seeds and all. Pruning the trees is an art, must take weeks.
    Do hope you have good continued weather.
    Best,
    Julie

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  3. Hi Julie
    Nice to hear from you. Cherry is doing fine her ears did make her look like a little donkey. My little westie Daisy eats apples whole also. Have a good week.

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  4. En avril ne te dĂ©couvre pas d'un fil !!! C'est peut-ĂȘtre vrai aussi pour ce beau mouton !
    Gros bisous

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  5. Merci beaucoup pour votre commentaire Martine, ils sont en effet magnifique. Peinture heureuse.

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  6. Due to computer issues I am late getting here.
    Wanted to welcome you as a follower.

    Sounds like you are a busy gal.
    Love the sheep.

    Come by soon.

    M :)


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  7. What a fab photo...wonderful to have all those apple trees even if they need so much lookiing after. We had apple crumble on Sunday when all the offspring and grandchildren came round...well, apple and blackberry, as I've some blackberries in the freezer. Can't beat it! x

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It would lovely to receive your comments, hear about what you do and where you live. Thank you for visiting me here in the Orchard, I will reply as soon as I can. Do visit again. Many happy times.
Sarah xx