https://gardenandgossip.org/ Sat, 09 May 2026 20:17:33 +0000 MyBB https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2365 Sun, 27 Jul 2025 21:28:40 +0000 Mark_Riga]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2365
I can just dispose of the apple branch and leave the rest of the tree but the tree leans quite heavily one way and with this branch gone, most of the weight is now on the side the tree is leaning.

Another option would be to remove the tree completely. It was a well established tree when we moved here 40+ years ago and has had mushrooms growing on it all the time, a variety called turkey tail I was told which feeds on dead wood so not likely to harm any living material in the tree. The tree is likely over 150 years old as the old couple who lived here before us, the lady was over 90 and said the tree was here when she was born in the house so at least 130 years. At an apple fair at Reaseheath, the local agricultural College, I was told that it is a Gravenstein. I don't really want to cut it down.

If I leave it up, I was wondering how much I could trim the rest of the tree, to take some of the weight off it, without causing too much harm? It always has far more apples than we can use but is delicious, particularly as stuffed and baked apples.


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The pear tree is a lot younger. I planted it about 10 years ago. The way it has broken has badly damaged to main stem. There is a weaker stem you can just see on the right in the second picture below. Any suggestions what you would do with this?


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I can just dispose of the apple branch and leave the rest of the tree but the tree leans quite heavily one way and with this branch gone, most of the weight is now on the side the tree is leaning.

Another option would be to remove the tree completely. It was a well established tree when we moved here 40+ years ago and has had mushrooms growing on it all the time, a variety called turkey tail I was told which feeds on dead wood so not likely to harm any living material in the tree. The tree is likely over 150 years old as the old couple who lived here before us, the lady was over 90 and said the tree was here when she was born in the house so at least 130 years. At an apple fair at Reaseheath, the local agricultural College, I was told that it is a Gravenstein. I don't really want to cut it down.

If I leave it up, I was wondering how much I could trim the rest of the tree, to take some of the weight off it, without causing too much harm? It always has far more apples than we can use but is delicious, particularly as stuffed and baked apples.


  Apple1a.jpg (Size: 219.89 KB / Downloads: 8)   
  Apple2a.jpg (Size: 188.39 KB / Downloads: 8)

The pear tree is a lot younger. I planted it about 10 years ago. The way it has broken has badly damaged to main stem. There is a weaker stem you can just see on the right in the second picture below. Any suggestions what you would do with this?


  Pear1a.jpg (Size: 152.71 KB / Downloads: 6)  
  Pear2a.jpg (Size: 218.23 KB / Downloads: 7)  
  Pear3a.jpg (Size: 208.52 KB / Downloads: 7) ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2353 Mon, 09 Jun 2025 11:24:30 +0000 Vinny]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2353 Does anyone have any idea what it is?

  MSQM5184.JPG (Size: 243.42 KB / Downloads: 17) ]]> Does anyone have any idea what it is?

  MSQM5184.JPG (Size: 243.42 KB / Downloads: 17) ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2222 Mon, 09 Sep 2024 11:03:50 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2222 https://www.suttons.co.uk/SUSGWE249/rubu...5280109%5D

Here's the hype:-

Who says raspberries don’t grow on trees! This miraculous space-saving raspberry tree has been developed by an ingenious breeder from Japan named Toshikhiko Hara. His groundbreaking new raspberry develops thick overwintering stems which are trained to form upright ‘trees’ with a strong, central trunk supporting a crown of fruiting branches.
Instead of rows of sprawling raspberry canes which need space, support and tying in, you can now enjoy this neat ‘Hararasp' raspberry. With its small footprint, it can easily be accommodated in a sunny spot where it will make both an attractive and edible feature. From April to May it is covered in white blossom followed by an abundance of tasty fruit from June to August that is easily reached for harvesting.
The fruit is unusually attractive, as unlike the dull fruit of other raspberries, ‘Hararasp’ bears especially glossy and shiny berries. ‘Hararasp’ is also a disease-resistant Florican-type, with excellent tolerance to heat and drought plus early fruit ripening and a long harvest period. Maximum height: 175cm (69in). Maximum spread:100cm (40in).


Gimmick or reality? Would you buy it???]]> https://www.suttons.co.uk/SUSGWE249/rubu...5280109%5D

Here's the hype:-

Who says raspberries don’t grow on trees! This miraculous space-saving raspberry tree has been developed by an ingenious breeder from Japan named Toshikhiko Hara. His groundbreaking new raspberry develops thick overwintering stems which are trained to form upright ‘trees’ with a strong, central trunk supporting a crown of fruiting branches.
Instead of rows of sprawling raspberry canes which need space, support and tying in, you can now enjoy this neat ‘Hararasp' raspberry. With its small footprint, it can easily be accommodated in a sunny spot where it will make both an attractive and edible feature. From April to May it is covered in white blossom followed by an abundance of tasty fruit from June to August that is easily reached for harvesting.
The fruit is unusually attractive, as unlike the dull fruit of other raspberries, ‘Hararasp’ bears especially glossy and shiny berries. ‘Hararasp’ is also a disease-resistant Florican-type, with excellent tolerance to heat and drought plus early fruit ripening and a long harvest period. Maximum height: 175cm (69in). Maximum spread:100cm (40in).


Gimmick or reality? Would you buy it???]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2183 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:46:36 +0000 JJB]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2183 ]]> ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2150 Fri, 19 Apr 2024 19:04:25 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2150
This thread is not about that tree however - its about a stump that has a substantial side shoot. I thought this was a sucker off the root stock and have ignored it. This week, for the first time, it has flowered! In fact, these are the first apple flowers to open this year. 

All the trees that were here in 1980 were very tall,  so there doesn't seem to have been any attempt to graft them onto dwarfing rootstocks. 
Might they have been grafted for another reason? 

Needless to say that I shall be leaving it to see what happens. I like surprises.  ]]>
This thread is not about that tree however - its about a stump that has a substantial side shoot. I thought this was a sucker off the root stock and have ignored it. This week, for the first time, it has flowered! In fact, these are the first apple flowers to open this year. 

All the trees that were here in 1980 were very tall,  so there doesn't seem to have been any attempt to graft them onto dwarfing rootstocks. 
Might they have been grafted for another reason? 

Needless to say that I shall be leaving it to see what happens. I like surprises.  ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2113 Wed, 14 Feb 2024 23:36:09 +0000 Vinny]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2113 I may try utilising some of the leaves for tea as they supposedly have health benefits?]]> I may try utilising some of the leaves for tea as they supposedly have health benefits?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2026 Sun, 24 Sep 2023 17:02:19 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2026 Last year I cut down 3 plum trees that had very few plums and were diseased. Unfortunately, the stumps are still there and they're shooting & suckering like crazy. 
I've been hacking back a peach tree that is too  tall and it overshadows the bean patch. The final straw was finding that a CFB had scrambled up into the tree, totally out of picking reach. It had very little fruit this year and what there was, was too high up to reach and bag. It'll be going soon. 
There are others, with question marks over their heads too. 
How about yours?]]> Last year I cut down 3 plum trees that had very few plums and were diseased. Unfortunately, the stumps are still there and they're shooting & suckering like crazy. 
I've been hacking back a peach tree that is too  tall and it overshadows the bean patch. The final straw was finding that a CFB had scrambled up into the tree, totally out of picking reach. It had very little fruit this year and what there was, was too high up to reach and bag. It'll be going soon. 
There are others, with question marks over their heads too. 
How about yours?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2021 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 19:14:28 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2021 ]]> ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2009 Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:29:02 +0000 Vinny]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2009
If you know what itis, please let me know so I can decide whether to keep it or root it out!

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If you know what itis, please let me know so I can decide whether to keep it or root it out!

  JEKL1648.JPG (Size: 264.32 KB / Downloads: 28) ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1938 Tue, 13 Jun 2023 21:08:20 +0000 Can the Man]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1938

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Sorry about the quality of photos I had to resize to post.]]>

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Sorry about the quality of photos I had to resize to post.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1933 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 15:30:36 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1933
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I'm experimenting this year with bagging some of the fruit to protect it against the birds, squirrels, whathaveyou. These are peaches. I can't bag some of the fruit as the branches are too long, or short, to put a bag on. 
I tried bagging some cherries but because of the way they hang on the branches I couldn't get them in a bag. Will keep trying!]]>
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I'm experimenting this year with bagging some of the fruit to protect it against the birds, squirrels, whathaveyou. These are peaches. I can't bag some of the fruit as the branches are too long, or short, to put a bag on. 
I tried bagging some cherries but because of the way they hang on the branches I couldn't get them in a bag. Will keep trying!]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1905 Wed, 10 May 2023 15:16:07 +0000 toomanytommytoes]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1905
I don't really like gooseberries that much and they're difficult to handle due to the spikes, but the flowers are good early forage for bees. 

Can anyone convince me to keep these gooseberry plants before I chuck them in the green bin?

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I don't really like gooseberries that much and they're difficult to handle due to the spikes, but the flowers are good early forage for bees. 

Can anyone convince me to keep these gooseberry plants before I chuck them in the green bin?

  gooseberry sawfly 2023.jpg (Size: 342.58 KB / Downloads: 17) ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1901 Sun, 07 May 2023 19:26:16 +0000 Can the Man]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1901

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  C56F7F03-451B-4B2E-BF57-7FF2304FCB82.jpeg (Size: 156.07 KB / Downloads: 28) ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1853 Tue, 28 Mar 2023 21:43:16 +0000 Can the Man]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1853 I’m very happy I can now get more ericaceous compost and replant 3 and 3 bushes and 1 cranberry bush in each section.


  1C37FF10-C82C-4FC8-8E65-9ABC70F268C2.jpeg (Size: 696.54 KB / Downloads: 21) ]]> I’m very happy I can now get more ericaceous compost and replant 3 and 3 bushes and 1 cranberry bush in each section.


  1C37FF10-C82C-4FC8-8E65-9ABC70F268C2.jpeg (Size: 696.54 KB / Downloads: 21) ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1766 Tue, 06 Dec 2022 22:36:56 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1766 My question is - what are my chances of growing strawberry plants from fruits and how would you go about it?]]> My question is - what are my chances of growing strawberry plants from fruits and how would you go about it?]]>