Renovation Of Old Orchards
The Axe Man by Mervyn Walker DVD produced by Bill Graham, Maram Productions. Review - Steve Reynolds
applications of stable manure and fertilizer may be given and cover crops such as crimson clover sown toward midsummer. The management of the orchard from then forward will be the same as for trees that have been properly managed from the start. If the trees are of undesirable varieties, or if for any other reason the owner wishes to have different varieties, it is easier to use them as stocks for grafting the desired kinds than it is to plant and care for the new trees. Old trees cleft grafted will begin to bear fruit in three or four years, whereas even the quickest maturing varieties of young trees rarely bear at all before five years. The grafting is a simple process that anyone can produce by following the directions given elsewhere. If space is limited and if only a few trees can be grown, two, three, or more varieties may be grown on the one tree. In fact, as curiosities, trees have been grown with even more than 50 varieties upon the one trunk. The general principles outlined in the above article are still true today. Given that it was written more that a hundred years ago, the advice is remarkably pertinent. Current opinion seems to be divided in the issue of painting wounds on trees however, but in this scenario an application of Arbrex, as opposed to white lead and linseed, would be prudent. The modern approach to ground compaction around the trees would also be different of course, an old orchard would certainly benefit from aeration either by simple spiking or air injection such as the Terravent system.
Total Arb January 2006
Editors note: I have been asked to explain what ‘water sprouts’ are, and no you can’t eat them! Water sprouts are vigorous, usually upright shoots developing from dormant buds on the trunk or large branches of a tree. In many cases pruning or removal of large branches stimulates dormant buds into growth. Heavy pruning results in more sprout production. Stress can also stimulate growth of water sprouts but they are usually less vigorous than those stimulated by pruning. Suckers are similar to water sprouts but originate from the roots or the trunk below the graft union. Water sprouts should be removed promptly. Check the tree regularly and simply rub off new shoots as they emerge. Large water sprouts can be pruned off close to the trunk. Allowing water sprouts to remain can ruin the tree’s shape and divert energy from the rest of the tree. You may choose to train one or more sprouts to replace any missing branches.
No, its not the latest shock horror fest to hit our screens but rather more amiable fare, in the shape of a series of recollections narrated by Mervyn Walker, of his life working with trees. Guiding us through the tools and the techniques of using them more than a century ago, actually makes for some fascinating listening, add to this the visual feast of Mervyn, now well into his seventies, swinging his long axe into a tree with more gusto and skill than men a third of his age and this should be a must have for any one interested in the history and development of arboriculture in the United Kingdom. What spoils this is the amateur production and frankly poor packaging. Too often while you are observing a particular picture and listening to the narration, which accompanies it, Mervyn’s disembodied head appears, floating in the middle of the screen! Why I couldn’t say; I can only presume that this is regarded as ‘Cutting edge’ in Ilkley, well it isn’t ! Anywhere! Not since 1972 anyway. While it does not detract in any way from the content, which is worth the cost alone, it makes you wonder; why would anybody spoil a good idea in this way by such shoddy production values! I’d say that this is definitely worth buying, if for no other reason than men of Mervyn’s experiences are a diminishing breed; this records a way of life and attitude to life that are sadly passing with them. Ideal as a late present or to use up some of that Christmas money that you just don’t know what to do with!
Copies, price £15.00, are available from: Mervyn Walker PO Box 103 Ilkley LS29 8YD 9