Blossom Time

Now spring is upon us you will have noticed the beautiful blossom in gardens, hedgerows and across the countryside. The colour and scent from the trees is to attract insects which will transfer pollen from one tree to another. Once pollinated the blossom will loose its petals and start developing into this year’s berries, fruits, nuts and seeds. 

This time of year is when the Community Orchard looks its best. Each variety of fruit will flower at slightly different times so something is in flower from March till May. Any apple tree can be pollinated by any other apple tree so planting apple pips does not guarantee you will get the same type of apple as the parent tree. This is why if you want to grow a specific apple variety it has to be done by taking cuttings from the parent plant and not just plant the pips. Some of our trees do not produce blossom but catkins instead – these are our Hazelnuts and they are pollinated by the wind and not by insects so there is no need for brightly coloured and scented flowers. 

The weather plays a big role in how well the trees will produce fruit as the buds and blossom can be killed by late frosts – no blossom equals no fruit. Last year we had two trees next to each other and one produced a bumper crop and the other hardly any fruit at all. We put this down to differences in the microclimate around each tree last spring. 

Please do take the opportunity to take a stroll near to the Community Orchard over the next few week to see the blossom in all its glory. You can find the orchard in the Recreation Ground near to the skate ramps and Willow Pond. The orchard will be open to the public on Blossom Day  towards the end of April.  You will be able to get a closer look at the lovely flowers and smell the blossom. You will also have a chance to ask us any questions you may have about looking after fruit trees – look out for the posters on the community notice boards, in the Yaxley Bulletin and on the YCV website.  

If you would like to help us look after the orchard or help us with our projects around the village please do get in touch: 

secretary@ycv.org.uk