[Sive]

Could anyone advise me if I will be able to grow apples and Victoria plums successfully in a very bright sunny acre, but one that is about 90metres above sea level and currently very exposed to prevailing winds ? We have planted hedging and trees extensively, but it will take about 5 years, I expect before the shelter belt has any effect. We have already started a secondary shelter belt of beech hedging around the proposed "orchard" area.
Has anyone any words of wisdom on the subject please?

[James Kilkelly]

Sive, shelter from strong winds will protect plum flowers and apple blossoms which eventually become your fruit. Damaged blossoms equal's poor fruit.

Also, pollinating insects such as bees tend not to visit fruit trees in windswept locations, causing flowers to remain unpollinated and a tree to remain fruitless.

So, a fruit tree planted on a windswept hillside garden will probably grow quite well if its soil, feeding and watering needs are looked after. However it may produce little if any fruit until that shelter planting can preserve the trees flowers.

[Sive]

Thank you James, so it is the wind that is the problem, now I understand....would it make sense to plant the trees anyway to let them get established even if it means poor fruiting for the first few years till our hedges grow ?

[James Kilkelly]

Yep, plant away.
Just remember to stake well on the windward side.

[Sive]

Thank you so much James, nothing like getting good, straightforward advice !