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THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE SLOG QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24 – SUMMER 2015

* FRUIT GROWING * *CONSERVING LOCAL ORCHARDS* *PROMOTING HERITAGE VARIETIES* www.slorchards.co.uk

In this Issue week of April when the weather suddenly turned Editorial 1 cold again. Rainfall in Kendal for the first four Forthcoming Events 2 months of the year was 25% above the last 7yr Recent Events 2 average, mainly due to the very wet January. SLOG Orchard Update 3 Turning to the national fruitgrowing situation, Plagues & Pestilence: Stink Bug 3 Kent growers reported that following a cold Heritage Apple Variety Review: 4 March, the season was two weeks behind last Isaac Newton’s Tree year. However, the warm April accelerated Virus Threat to Bumblebees 5 blossom development with plums and pears in full bloom. Amongst the apples, Braeburn came Fruit Focus: Walnut 5 into blossom by the end of April, followed in Orchard Profile: Fruity Windermere 6 order by Jazz, Cox, Gala and Bramley. Fruit from other countries: 7 However, May started with high winds which Belgium deter the pollinators, and continued cool and SLOG Shop 8 unsettled, so fruit set in apples may be a lottery. By contrast, strawberry growers are forecasting SLOG discount at Suppliers 8 a record crop this year, due to Editorial the warm April and good soil After all the political rhetoric about the NHS moisture, while and its funding in the recent election, here’s gooseberries something significant that none of the political and all the parties mentioned (presumably because they currants set a could not claim credit for it). If everybody in heavy crop in Britain ate an apple each day, the NHS could the April sunshine, promising a good yield this save £4billion each year, according to recently year – but watch out for sawfly on the published research in JAMA Internal Medicine. gooseberries. Although apple eaters still suffer the same diseases as the rest of the population, it seems Our Orchard Profile on page 6 of this issue is the severity of the illness is reduced so that they “Fruity Windermere!” a community led urban are 27% less likely to need prescription planting project. This concept is an interesting medicines. SLOG members probably know this alternative to a Community Orchard in that it by heart, but just in case you have forgotten: does not require a dedicated piece of land which Apples are good for health because they are is sometimes difficult or expensive to obtain. high in fibre, vitamins, minerals and flavonoids. Rather, it utilises spare small pieces and corners of land thereby bringing fruit almost to the Despite one of the warmest & driest Aprils on doorstep of the community. This project is record, this season is later than average. This highlighted here not only because it is a worthy may be no bad thing because any early apple venture, but also in the hope that it may inspire blossom risked frost damage during the last THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE other groups in other locations to consider it as a Saturday August 22nd 2.00 – 5.00pm template for similar projects elsewhere. Summer Pruning Workshop, Brantwood Coniston Water LA21 8AD. Summer FORTHCOMING EVENTS pruning is a useful means to slow the growth of over-vigorous trees. Bring your own secateurs and ladders if you have them. Directions: 2½ For the most up-to-date information look miles from Coniston on NE shore of Coniston Water in: http://www.slorchards.co.uk/SLOGevents.html RECENT EVENTS

Saturday & Sunday from 10am 30th & 31st May – CountryFest The SLOG stand will GRAFTING WORKSHOP be in the Countryside Marquee. Drop in for Saturday 8th March, Growing Well a taste of Bob Bradley’s famous cider, our Another record attendance of over 30 gathered full-bodied apple juice, or just for a chat. in the yurts at Growing Well to learn and For info see: practice the ancient art of grafting apple trees. www.westmorlandshow.co.uk/country_f est.html This event continues to be one of our most popular events. Hilary & Phil demonstrated Directions: From M6 jnctn36, take Kirkby Lonsdale exit to next rdbt then first left onto A65 for approx ½ splice and whip & tongue grafts and then mile, turn left onto B6385 over canal, showfield on rt members set about grafting using scion wood from a wide selection of over a hundred apple Saturday July 18th – Sizergh Castle Open and pear varieties onto MM106, MM111, M26 Day in aid of National Gardens Scheme. Watch and Quince A rootstocks. Over a hundred website for more information. rootstocks were sold on the day. If you were able to grow on your grafts in a Tuesday July 28th 7.30pm – SLOG AGM glasshouse or polytunnel, you can usually tell by at Levens Institute This is your chance to air the end of April whether they have taken or not. your views on what SLOG should or should not If kept outdoors, the take may not be definite be doing and help shape our future strategy. until the end of May. There will be a talk on apple breeding and an Once the take is clear, select the strongest apple tasting. Directions: From M6 jnctn 36 go 4 growing bud and rub out the others then put a miles on A591 towards Kendal, then A590 Barrow, then after 2 miles turn right signposted Levens. Go cane in the pot and tie in the growth as it to centre of village, Institute is on crossroads across develops. Carefully remove the grafting tape in from Methodist Chapel. Park on roads nearby. June or July but keep the young trees in a sheltered position until planting out from Saturday August 15th 1.30 – 4.30pm – November onwards. Budding Workshop, Growing Well, The surplus rootstocks were subsequently taken Sizergh Learn the skill of budding which to Witherslack a few days later where nurseries prefer over grafting, and if your bud committee members grafted over 50 trees which does not take, you can still graft onto the were potted up for growing on under Adele’s rootstock next spring which means you get two supervision ready for sale later in the year. chances of success instead of one! Directions: From M6 jnctn 36 go 4 miles on A591 towards Kendal, then A590 Barrow, then shortly on right follow brown signs for Sizergh Castle, then Low Sizergh Barn. From Kendal go 3½ miles south on the A591 then just before the A590 interchange turn left into the car park at Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop and Tearooms. Park at the far end of the car park and walk over the fields. Admission: Free to SLOG members. There will be a charge for the rootstock.

2 THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE

DAMSON DAY Saturday 11th April, Lyth Valley

In mid-May the apples are in full bloom The SLOG orchard is nearly full now, but we had some 1yr old grafted maiden whips which Adele & Phil with SLOG trees for sale on the stand at Damson Day photo courtesy of Ros Taylor needed a home. So a working party of Debbie, The late spring this year meant that not a Hugh & Andy planted them out at Growing blossom was in sight for Damson Day. Well in April, in spaces where previously Nevertheless, the day went well if a little cool. planted trees had failed. The varieties were: We had many helpers on the stand and Jenny Karmijn de Sonnaville, Groninger Kroon, received a £5 donation from someone who said Notan’s, Ambro (four Dutch varieties whose that it was for the great advice she had received scion wood had been sent from Holland to from someone on the stand. So, everyone can Hilary), Christmas Pearmain, King’s Russet, give themselves a pat on the back as it could Yellow Ingestrie, Millicent Barnes, Withington have been any one of us! Welter, Wheaten Loaves, Api & Holmes More damson info on the WDA website: Fortune. All of these varieties are new to http://www.lythdamsons.org.uk/index.html Growing Well. Meanwhile the next Working Party will SLOG ORCHARD UPDATE probably be in June for weeding, adjusting ties & canes and some relabelling. After last November’s working party planting, The site plan and variety list can be found on the we had 164 trees in the orchard. All except one SLOG website at: have survived the winter and burst into spring http://www.slorchards.co.uk/orchard.html growth. The exception was a Triomphe de The orchard is on the Underley Road Allottments, Jodoigne pear on pyrodwarf rootstock which situated between Underley Road & Hallgarth Circle succumbed to canker. Blood, fish & bone just east of Windermere Road, Kendal. fertiliser was applied to all trees in March and the grass had its first cut in April. As a novel feature to add a bit of interest and colour, roses “PLAGUES & have been planted on the south side of the end post in each row. They are colour coded by county, thus the Lancashire row has the PESTILENCE” Apothecary Rose (red) while Yorkshire is marked by Rosa Alba (white), the two Cumbrian STINK BUG rows are yellow, the pears are orange and the Scots/foreign and other English rows are blue. You probably have not seen this evil little beastie (yet) but the following article from Horticulture Week explains its threat to British fruitgrowers.

A parasitoid wasp and a fungus are being researched as possible biological controls. With acknowledgement to Horticulture Week HERITAGE APPLE VARIETY REVIEW: ISAAC NEWTON’S TREE

This variety is so named because it is descended from the tree under which Isaac Newton was

Stink bug: - photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Yerpo reputedly sitting in 1666 when the concept of Fruit growers are being warned of the potential gravity occurred to him whilst observing the fall invasion of a pest that has devastated crops in of an apple. Truly a historic variety in more America and is now moving closer to the UK ways than one! Newton’s friend William from southern Europe. Stukeley recorded a conversation about the The non-native brown marmorated stink bug event as follows: “we went into the garden, & (Halyomorpha halys) "has yet to come to drank thea under the shade of some appletrees; England, as far as we know, but it has a only he, & my self. amidst other discourse, he devastating effect on fruit", said East Malling told me, he was just in the same situation, as Research research leader Dr Jerry Cross. "It's an when formerly, the notion of gravitation came absolutely dreadful pest." into his mind. "why should that apple always Accidentally introduced into eastern descend perpendicularly to the ground," Pennsylvania in 1996 from Asia, the bug has thought he to himself; occasion'd by the fall of caused millions of dollars' worth of damage to an apple, as he sat in a contemplative mood. apples across mid American states, wiping out "why should it not go sideways, or upwards? more than one-fifth of the value of the crop. It but constantly to the earths center? assuredly, has since been found in Italy, Greece, France, the reason is, that the earth draws it. there must Hungary and Switzerland. be a drawing power in matter. & the sum of the "It has spread all over the States, can live in all drawing power in the matter of the earth must sorts of host plants and trees and can move be in the earths center, not in any side of the unrestricted in any environment," Cross told the earth. therefore dos this apple fall British Independent Fruit Growers' Association perpendicularly, or toward the center. if matter technical day (28.01.15). thus draws matter; it must be in proportion of "It's also a public nuisance because it invades its quantity. therefore the apple draws the earth, homes and it will probably arrive in Great as well as the earth draws the apple” Britain before very long," added Cross. He suggested that pheromone traps may help, while applications of Tracer (spinosad) have helped to fight the native stink bug. But he warned that strict rules on importing predatory insects could stymie biological control. The stink bugs feed on a range of fruits and other foods by piercing the outer surface and sucking out juices while injecting saliva. Besides disfiguring fruit, rendering it unsaleable, this can also transmit pathogens. In the USA it has been found on a range of crops including peaches, apples, green beans, soybeans, cherries, raspberries, and pears. The bugs emit a pungent smell, which has been likened to coriander, as a defence mechanism.

Isaac Newton’s Tree at Trinity College Cambridge, growing beneath the room in which he studied 350 years ago

Viruses threaten wild Statue of Isaac Newton with an apple at his feet, Oxford University Museum of Natural History bumblebees The location was Woolsthorpe Manor, near Several viruses associated with managed Grantham, Lincs. Newton was staying there honeybees may pose a widespread risk to during a break from Cambridge University bumblebees in the wild, according to latest whilst the plague was rampant in London. research. Woolsthorpe Manor is today a National Trust property and staff there claim that an old tree in their gardens is the remains of the original tree. This claim implies that the tree would now be well over 350 years old which is difficult to believe. More credible perhaps is Joan Morgan’s assertion that the original tree died in 1814, but not before it had been propagated to ensure the survival of the variety, which is believed to be identical to Flower of Kent, first described in 1629. It is a mid-season culinary variety of no great intrinsic merit. Roger’s describe it as “a distinctly ugly cooking apple which is quite shy Bumblebees: possible virus risk - image: Maria Keays It identified five viruses from both wild to crop, but cooks to a sweet delicately bumblebees and managed honeybees at 26 sites flavoured puree”. It is included in the SLOG across Great Britain. Previously research had Orchard because of its historic significance. only identified one pathogen, deformed wing virus, as having passed from honeybees to bumblebees, said Professor Robert Paxton of Queen's University Belfast. "We 5 THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE now find that other viruses may be doing the sight because of the sheer scale of the mature same. Yet our new findings also highlight just trees. how little we know of bee parasites and the role they play in the decline of pollinators." Professor Mark Brown of Royal Holloway, University of London, added: "It is imperative that we take the next step and identify how these viruses are transmitted among honeybees and wild bees so that we can manage both to reduce disease risk." With acknowledgement to Horticulture Week

Fruit Focus:

Walnut photo courtesy Derzsi Elekes Andor Walnuts are one of the latest trees to leaf out in The walnut is not really an orchard tree because the spring, thereby reducing risk of frost they grow so much bigger than most orchard damage. Pollen is produced in catkins while fruit species. But if you have enough space, female flowers cluster on shoot tips. The trees walnuts are truly magnificent trees. There are are mostly grown from seeds on their own roots four main species: the Common walnut but will crop within about five years. For the (Juglans regia), the Black walnut (Juglans widest selection of walnut species and varieties, nigra), the White walnut or butternut (Juglans see www.agroforestry.co.uk but R.V.Roger also cinerea) and the Japanese walnut or heartnut offers Common & Black Walnuts (website p8). (Juglans ailantifolia). Each species has a number of different varieties. Most require a pollinator but some are partially self-fertile. The ORCHARD PROFILE butternut is self-fertile. The biggest species is FRUITY WINDERMERE! the black walnut which can grow to 100’ high, Fruity Windermere is not an orchard in the and its trees need to be spaced at least 20’ apart. generally accepted sense but is actually an The heartnut, at half the size, is more suitable extended urban planting of fruit trees & bushes. for garden cultivation. China grows over half of total global walnut production, followed by Iran, USA, Turkey & Kyrgyzstan. This commercial production is exclusively from the Common walnut (J. regia). The EU grows 60,000 tonnes of walnuts per year, about half in France and a quarter each in Italy and Spain. However this supplies a mere 25% of total EU walnut consumption, the other 75% is imported from the USA. In fact some Arthur Turner on MM106 planted in front of Windermere Library Californian wine growers have been grubbing within the ultimate in tree guards out vineyards and replacing them with walnuts Starting in October 2013, about 50 top fruit and due to their superior profitability. 40 bush fruit have been planted in a wide range Walnuts should not be grown in a mixed of locations around the parish. The initiative orchard with other species because their roots originated from the Windermere Food Group. secrete the chemical juglone, a toxin which Debbie Binch (who is also a SLOG member) inhibits the growth of other species, particularly explained that the “Fruity Windermere!” apples. If you have ever driven up the Isère project’s aim is to increase the amount of fruit valley in eastern France you may have seen the produced in the parish of Windermere (which walnut plantations there – a truly impressive also includes Bowness & Troutbeck Bridge). This is in response to the harsher economic 6 THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE climate with some people starting to find that That has to take place food is taking a larger proportion of their using congested space weekly income; to climate change factors which on our roads, in the air threaten some food supplies; and “peak oil” food miles we must spare which may contribute to food becoming more As food grown abroad expensive to produce and distribute. Adds cost to afford like travel and packing on expensive racking and pollution they say that won’t go away But groups they are forming to address Global Warming And today with this tree As we plant it for free we celebrate with a cheer “Fruiteeee Wind er mere”.

Apple planting team in Birthwaite Gardens Most of the planting is on District Council land, having first secured their agreement, in particular with support from the Environment Portfolio holder (Claire Feeney-Johnson) and the Parks Section Manager. Funding came from a variety of sources, such as Windermere Town Council, United Utilities, Windermere Taverners and the Co-op. Total spend to-date is estimated at about £1,500 on items such as tree guards, stakes, jute biodegradable mulch mats, coir soil conditioner, wood mulch etc. Many of the trees were grafted by group members although some were bought in from Rogers of Pickering and B&Q. Local residents, Schools and children have been proactively involved in planting to gain acceptance and “buy-in” for the trees continuing wellbeing. So far the only damage has been from footballs and mowing contractors. The lessons learnt are to plant well away from any areas where children play football, and to involve maintenance contractors in planting locations, backed up by tree guards which prevent accidental mowing or strimming damage. The extent of the local Council buy-in Windermere Mayor Bill Smith with helpers planting a damson to the project is illustrated by the poem below penned by Windermere Mayor Bill Smith in FRUIT FROM OTHER COUNTRIES: September 2010 for the launch of the Fruity BELGIUM Windermere project at the “Big Green Event”:

From saplings quite small to trees standing tall, From blossom so bright to fruit without blight To food grown near home that limits the roam 7 THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE

Belgium is less than 100km away from and on Northern climate on MM106 rootstocks. Visit the same latitude as England’s main topfruit http://www.slorchards.co.uk/TreesForSale.html growing area (Kent) so you might imagine that to see the list and for guidance on purchase and Belgian fruit growing should be similar to our collection. own. Not so! Belgium grows 7,000ha of apples compared to Britain’s 5,500ha but there the 2. We also have a small stock of spiral rabbit similarity ends. Whereas we grow only 1,000ha guards for young trees. These have the added of pears, Belgium grows 9,000ha. advantage that they protect the young tree’s trunk from misdirected hoes or strimmers. Size is 38mm diameter x 18” high, in either brown or clear plastic, with holes for air circulation. Priced at 3 for £1 they are a bargain for protecting the young trees you planted this winter.

3. Wells & Winter labels are the most cost- effective permanent solution for recording tree variety identity. They are rigid black plastic labels

Pear rows grown on the “Vee” system courtesy The English Apple Man Pears have historically been popular in Belgium and Bunyard lists over forty varieties as being raised there. The famous professor of chemistry and agronomy, Jean-Baptiste Van Mons (1765- 1842) himself raised about forty varieties at Louvain. Sadly, his varieties are not popular with modern Belgian fruitgrowers: 86% of all pears grown in Belgium are Conference (another similarity to Britain), the others being Comice and Durondeau. The major Belgian apple varieties are decidedly different from the UK: over 60% are Jonagold, a high-yielding triploid which is the cheapest apple found in our measuring 2 x 3½” (5x9cm), giving a permanent supermarkets. The other varieties grown are and very visible result. Golden Delicious, Elstar (eaters) and Belle de Boskoop (cooker), but these are all in decline, while Cox’s Orange Pippin which used to be grown has now almost entirely disappeared. There are about 800 fruitgrowers in Belgium and their area grown is actually increasing. They are supported by top quality research, nurseries and breeders. With a population of about 11 million people, not only does Belgium need to import very little fruit, it also exports a considerable amount – very different to Britain.

SLOG SHOP They are available at 15p each along with a 1. SLOG has a range of 1yr old container grown deposit for the silver pen (if taken away) maiden apple trees for sale at £13.50 each, comprising traditional varieties suitable for our 8 THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE

4. Recipe books: 28 full colour pages detailing 45 recipes for a wide range of fruits; only £2.50.

5. Apple Notelet cards £2 per pack of 5 different cards each featuring a different apple variety.

6. The Apples & Orchards of Cumbria: Lavishly illustrated with over 100 full colour photos describing the twenty or so Cumbrian apple varieties and the fifteen orchards open to the public. Judged runner-up in the “Landscape & Tradition” category of the Lakeland Book of the Year Awards, 2014. £9

All the above items are available at SLOG events such as Workshops, Shows and Apple Days.

SLOG Discount at Suppliers: Rogers & Beetham Nursery

SLOG has negotiated a 10% discount at Rogers of Pickering for SLOG members. When you place an order for any kind of fruit: trees, bushes, etc., quote your SLOG membership number and Rogers will apply 10% discount to your total bill. For mail orders go to: http://www.rvroger.co.uk/?linksource=frontpage We also have a 5% discount at Beetham Nursery applicable to all items (except in the café). Just show your SLOG membership card at the checkout. www.beethamnurseries.co.uk/

TAILPIECE

“ The Apple of Your Eye” is a quarterly publication, the next one being the autumn issue due mid-August. Contributing articles, preferably in word.doc, are welcome, along with photos where possible, by the end of July 2015 to: [email protected]

Disclaimer - The information in this newsletter is provided on the understanding that SLOG makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information. Nor does SLOG warrant that the use of this information is free of any claims of copyright infringement.

The opinions expressed in this publication do not neccessarily represent the views of SLOG.