How not to plant a cherry tree

December 15, 2012 by afrenchgarden 19 Comments

The Victorians used to tell their children cautionary tales to warn them to avoid incorrect behaviour. I see merit in this as often when you are shown the correct procedure performed by experts it looks all too easy and can give a false sense of security. So this post is my cautionary tale of what not to do and will make real gardeners cringe.

When planting trees it should be remembered that they have a tendency to grow and produce branches which in turn will become entangled with other trees if they are planted too close together. Makes sense?

The move begins

The cherry tree was much too close to the large plum tree which also serves as a parasol for our table when we eat outside in the summer.

Up rooted cherry tree

A trench was dug around the condemned tree and its anchoring roots were severed with a chain saw. All that was left was to lever it out of the hole. Problem – even with my not negligible (?) strength we could not move it.

Take a length of rope…

The only option was to attach the base of the tree to the back of the car and move off gently.

The car moves off

The car moved forward, the rope became taut – and then broke. Ah, yet another root was cleverly hiding and holding the root tightly in place. The last root was cut by the chain saw.

Some more rope – and we have lift out!

Once the tree was successfully uprooted it looked a long way to take it to its new home. Energy levels were fast depleting (coffee time was approaching) so the car was called upon again to take up its new multi-tasking activity as part-time tractor.

Stop, you’re in position!

A bit of ungentle persuasion and the cherry tree was happily(?) ensconced in its new position. We gave it a good watering and luckily it rained all the next day.

Extra support

The cherry tree is now supported by two stout poles to stabilise it while it grows more roots. It had a few days of respite but then it has had to deal with a sharp frost and cold spell.

It will be interesting to see if survives its manhandling but it will be springtime before there could be signs of life and next summer will be the true test and struggle for survival.

Author: afrenchgarden

Born in Scotland I have lived in England, Iran, USA and Greece. The house and land was bought twelve years ago in fulfilment of the dream of living in France that my Francophile husband nurtured. We had spent frequent holidays in France touring the more northerly parts and enjoying the food, scenery, architecture and of course gardens. However, we felt that to retire in France and enjoy a more clement climate than we currently had in Aberdeen we would need to find somewhere south of the river Loire but not too south to make returning to visit the UK onerous. The year 2000 saw us buying our house and setting it up to receive us and the family on holidays. The garden was more a field and we were helped by my son to remove the fencing that had separated the previous owners’ goats, sheep and chickens. We did inherit some lovely old trees and decided to plant more fruit trees that would survive and mature with the minimum of care until we took up permanent residence. The move took place in 2006 and the love hate relation with the “garden” started. There was so much to do in the house that there was little energy left for the hard tasks in the garden. It was very much a slow process and a steep learning curve. Expenditures have been kept to a minimum. The majority of the plants have been cuttings and I try to gather seeds wherever I can. The fruit trees have all been bought but we have tender hearts and cannot resist the little unloved shrub at a discount price and take it as a matter of honour to nurse it back to health. This year I have launched my Blog hoping to reach out to other gardeners in other countries. My aim is to make a garden for people to enjoy, providing shady and sunny spots with plants that enjoy living in this area with its limestone based subsoil and low rainfall in a warm summer. Exchanging ideas and exploring mutual problems will enrich my experience trying to form my French garden.