Thinning streak

Want the best tree fruits? Thinning fruitlets helps to fight pests and means crops are bigger and better, says Bob

- Bob Flowerdew

AS more of us plant smaller growing and trained fruit trees, it becomes easier to look after them. Instead of staring up at immense canopies, we now have highly productive trees where every part is reachable. Admittedly, you need a stepladder for some, but with the truly dwarf varieties you stand over them. This means that you can do a proper job and there’s no excuse for not thinning.

This is usually done once in early July after the June drop when trees shed unviable fruitlets. You select and retain only the best fruit, removing congested, damaged and any with signs of disease or pests. Those remaining are clean and, receiving all resources, will swell bigger than otherwise. However, you don’t need to wait until July to thin, as removing suspect fruitlets earlier is even more beneficial.

“Make weekly inspections as fruits swell”