Tree Following
August 2016 Part 1.
The Name’s James, James Grieve.
Inspired by the many posts across the blogosphere, I’ve decided to take the plunge into the monthly #TreeFollowing meme hosted by Squirrelbasket
So let me introduce you to my Tree of Choice to follow:
Malus James Grieve
James Grieve is quite an old variety of Apple, it was raised in Scotland sometime before 1893.
Now James here is a culinary (Eating Apple) & a Dessert (Cooking Apple) depending on how long the fruits are left on the plant.
James is in pollination group 3, and he is suitable for northern, cooler areas of the UK. and is in hardiness zone H6.
James’s season of use is from September to October.
However:
That’s what is supposed to happen, but no one told my James…..
My James was purchased just over 2 years ago, late 2014, by mail order from a well-known Seed & Plant Catalogue because he was on offer, he arrived late that September and was planted in an area of my lawn with lots of extra compost, and a decent mulch, and left to get on with it.
He settled in nicely, and gave out gorgeous blossom every Spring since then, he is currently about 6 foot tall now.
Apple Blossom on James Grieve
The Bees have been happy and so have I.
However, one thing James is not very good at, until this year, is giving out any actual Apples.
The Story so far:
James has flowered well for the 3 Springs he’s been with me, in the First year he produced two fruitlets….. Which promptly fell off.
In the Second year James managed about 5 fruitlets, a few fell off early in the growing season, but at least 2 began to swell an resemble actual Apples….. until I witnessed a baby Squirrel make off with the forming fruits and bury them in the veg patch.
So, time for drastic action…
Earlier this year, 2016, James Grieve was given a stiff talking to, given a yellow card for poor performance, and threatened with chopping down, or else.
And so far it appears to have paid off…
James with Hosta backdrop.
James put on an excellent show of blossom, followed by plenty of leaves, and at least 15 fruits originally set.
However now in August, only 8 fruits remain, and with the recent hot weather, and sudden winds, some fruit went and threw themselves to the floor.
Worryingly a few remaining fruits look like they have been invaded by beastly creatures, and these infected fruits are the ones dropping off the tree.
Beastly infestation.
3 more on the floor this morning.
So this morning there were 3 more fruits on the floor, I’ve warned James that it needs to try to hold onto the last 8 fruits or else I will carry out my threat.
More leafy beasties.
It also appears that James has other leaf eating beasties in residence. Some research required I think.
I must remember not to count my apples before the Autumn.
Welcome to Tree Following. This is a most enjoyable, and interesting, post with good pictures all about your apple tree.
I see that you sorted out the logo and link for your sidebar. xx
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It’s a fine looking apple tree, but barely more than a baby. It’s just starting to learn how to make apples. In a few more years you will be drowning in tasty fruits 🙂
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I’m having the same trouble with a ‘Pershore Yellow’ plum. Perhaps I should try your stiff talking to method!
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A delightful post, and we shall follow James’ progress with interest. He is certainly doing a lot better than my tiny cherry, which has been very slow, but has at last put on a growth spurt. Still waiting for a cherry, though!
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I”m having the same trouble with pears. Must not count my pears before Autumn!
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Welcome! I enjoyed your post and look forward to more. Please don’t be too harsh on young James. Youth can be a difficult time, as I still remember even though it was long ago 😉
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Wonderful story! Although I had to let out a “Nooooo” when the squirrel ran off with the applets.
And I am so delighted you have joined in with the tree following, as I thought August would be the sort of time for people to lapse rather than start.
I will add your details to the master list.
Welcome 🙂
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Thanks for the welcome, I’m looking forward to writing my next post already….
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We also have a James Grieve as one of our 3 apple espaliers. It has delicious fruit and we chose it on taste several years ago after attending an apple day at Ryton Organic Gardens. Along with our Egremont Russet and Bountiful it gives us something to look forward to every autumn, even though the crops from the still relatively young tree aren’t enormous.
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I still have high hopes for tasting my first fruit, although since I posted my blog another fruit has committed suicide… 😕
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Well unlike really. Sorry to hear that. Hoping when I return from hols all mine haven’t leapt, lemming-like, off the tree…
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