Rokeby Recreation Ground Community Orchard
Working Party Activity 2022
February 2022
First pruning of the orchard
As mentioned in the Spring Newsletter - which was recently shared around the village - the first pruning of the trees was carried out on Thursday February 17th.
The goal is to ensure we manage the growth of the trees so that the best branches are retained and others removed. This will give the trees strength and great shape too.
We also had to reduce the height of the tree guards. After bud burst and the last frost e.g. after mid-May, a second pruning to be more selective, leaving the best 4-5 buds between 3-4 foot, reducing the height to above the top bud and removing any growth below 3 foot.
The ideal scenario will be 4 evenly spaced branches about 3-4 foot high, growing outwards in different directions. The photos show the end results for a couple of the trees and the others looks much the same.
March 30, 2022
A bench has been donated by Glen and Sharon George for the enjoyment of the orchard as it matures.
We noticed that several of the trees had been nibbled by (we think) deer. So we've decided to try and protect them by rising the original tree guards and that meant we needed to also protect the newly exposed lower 25cm or so. We bought and attached plastic guards which we hope will protect the trees for the future.
August 2022, Watering
With the continuing dry, hot weather we have needed to water our trees regularly.
Our latest watering was on Monday August 15th and the group of willing water carriers are pictured here.
Rain is now forecast but if not enough arrives we shall continue watering regularly."
October 2022
A small wild flower garden has been created adjacent to the orchard. Thanks to Felicity for making this happen and we are all looking forward to seeing them all bloom next spring. The flower garden has been placed to be visible from the bench.
September 2022
We laid mulch around the trees in the orchard on September 11th. Together with the piece of membrane laid around the base of each tree the mulch will slow the growth of weeds and grass around each tree and it will also provide some nutrients to them. Thanks to Dave for providing the mulch from his allotment and to Jim, Julie, Fiona and Karen for their labour spreading the mulch. Another good job done
November 2022
We successfully planted 10 more trees at the orchard this Saturday 26th November . A lovely large group of villagers, friends and families came along to dig the holes and plant the trees. We all even stayed dry as the rain held off. We have a few more to be planted but are waiting for them to be delivered.
Additionally we are trialling a different approach to protect our trees from being eaten by deer. The picture shows the first tree that's now protected by wire mesh up to about 1.5m and fixed to 2 newly installed stakes. It send to be solid and hopefully will both be an effective protection and last longer than the card based tree guards. We only installed them last year and none look like they will last the promised 3-5 years