Gardener Joe

Had me going then for a moment!! ? Cracking photo and carving!

Hi ....as it was pot grown, planting time is less of an issue, although traditionally autumn/winter is best! When you planted it, how big a hole did you create? Ideally it should have been twice as wide as the pot and fractionally deeper, with the bottom of the hole broken up with a fork....this helps prevent panning and waterlogging .... particularly important on heavy/clay soil. From the photos I agree it looks like planting stress and hopefully it'll recover next year.... gentle watering to avoid it's roots drying out, but not enough to drown it!! Best of luck and happy gardening ?

Hi again... you're probably right about the pruning having an impact on how much fruit set ... They definitely fruit best on older wood...

Hi I agree re pruning off and burning the infected branches. In one of my client's gardens we lost all the fruit that had set on the Victoria plum ... unexpected and heavy frost in early May... Perhaps worth spraying for aphid ... Ultimate Bug Killer is pretty good, although I prefer not to use pesticides. Fungus fighter may be suitable if you think there is an infection beyond the damaged branches ...not a fruit expert but hope this helps ?

Hi .. I agree regarding root issue and the need to allow roots to grow into the new compost. In hot or windy weather container grown plants loose at lot of water through evaporation...it might be worth standing the pot on a plant saucer to allow the compost to soak water up from the bottom HOWEVER! Don't leave it permanently standing in water.. it's unhealthy for the plant! Regarding pruning any 'stone fruit' should be pruned when actively growing (is summer months but not when the plant is under stress) to avoid a fungal infection called silverleaf which can kill the tree. Removing dead wood or broken branches can be done at anytime though. Since re-potting have you fed the tree? A good general slow release fertiliser would probably be a good idea. I've just looked at your photos again, and feel that the pot might also bee quite small for a 3yr old cherry... they really like room to spread their roots. Also what type of compost have you used... ideally I would suggest John Innes no 3. Finally regarding planting out... As it effectively container grown you can do this at anytime... however I would suggest waiting 'til after fruiting and when the garden soil is nicely damp... not in a prolonged dry spell. Make sure your planting hole is about twice the diameter of the pot. Dig in plenty of organic matter and suitable fertiliser (eg bone meal). Plant so that the rootball is at about to same level (ie not too deep) and water well. DON'T let it dry out. Mulching with garden compost or a product such as "strultch" will help retain moisture and reduce weed growth. Sorry to ramble on, but hope this helps. ?

Agree that any top dressing of gravel needs to be as shallow as possible... only need to cover the sub-base to leave an attractive finish. Patching dips and troughs only works if the new base material is blended to loosened existing.... remember compact compact compact!!! ?

Definitely magnolia ?

Hi Work in area North of Preston ... Saw these on alder in one of my customer's copice last week....

Back again ... Been thinking if you want evergreen perhaps Holly pyramidalis might be a candidate ... Variegated forms too. Agree that yew might also be suitable or perhaps a pittiosporum (doesn't like cold winds though) Happy gardening ?

Hi Wouldn't recommend a cherry as they have very shallow roots .. often near or a surface level! Pretty tree though... Have you considered a crab apple... great tree for a small space.. spring blossom & autumn winter berry...birds love them and you are able to prune them to keep to size and shape ?

Absolutely agree ... thoughts to Monty and family ... We should all treasure the friendships we have both human and canine et al

Don't know what to say....?

I'd go with a daphne... Flowers look too open in habit for lilac .... it'll have an incredibly strong scent ....

I agree with The Avantgardener... I'd say sycamore ?