Foggy, frosty tree following

Foggy, frosty tree following

This morning the world was nearly white. The air and sky turned cloudy with fog, and the ground and grass dusted with icing sugar frost.

The perfect day then to capture the winter silhouettes of my 2023 tree following trees.

Last year I followed a black mulberry which is growing in a large pot on the patio. If it flowers or fruits this year, I’ll update.

This year I decided to follow three apple trees: an old gnarled tree, likely “Beauty of Bath”; and two trees planted by us last winter, “Dawn” and “Norfolk Biffin”.

The old apple tree sits in a corner of the kitchen garden, newly underplanted with five rhubarb crowns. It produces delicious, large, crisp apples in very early August. For eating, not storing.
“Dawn”, a dessert apple from Hertfordshire that shares its name with my mum and my daughter. It was planted as a feathered maiden, and pruned accordingly. It took well despite the incredible heat and dryness of the spring and summer.
“Norfolk Biffin”. Much discussion surrounds the name of this apple. I chose it because of its links to A Christmas Carol and my fondness for Norfolk.

The two trees we planted were purchased from a great project aiming to preserve heritage apple, pear, plum and cherry varieties from the East of England. As ever, I had great difficulty narrowing it down!

I’m looking forward to following the trees that others have chosen too and to chart the annual cycle of my fruit trees. A lovely fig tree in St James Park will also be making appearances as and when I get into my office.

8 Comments

  1. February 13, 2023 / 2:50 pm

    It be interesting to read about these different apple trees through the year, especially the two you planted last winter.
    Happy tree following. xx

  2. Hollis
    February 14, 2023 / 2:42 am

    I really like the old apple tree … so much character in its leafless state!

  3. February 15, 2023 / 7:37 pm

    Supporting the preservation of old varieties of fruit trees by growing them is a good thing to do. Good work! And they often taste good as well.

    • February 22, 2023 / 11:27 am

      Yes I’m so excited to try them, possibly we will get some fruit from the new ones this year, although I should probably be patient and take any fruits off to let them put their energy into growing!

  4. February 19, 2023 / 12:49 pm

    Excellent choice and a very worthwhile project!
    I wonder if anyone knows all the varieties of apple? I read somewhere that you could eat a different variety of apple every day of the year and still have some to spare…
    Thanks for joining us 🙂

    • February 22, 2023 / 11:26 am

      My husband and my daughter would certainly be happy to take that challenge on!

  5. February 19, 2023 / 6:18 pm

    I look forward to following your trees throughout the year! I’ve also chosen an apple tree this year!

    • February 22, 2023 / 11:27 am

      Oh wonderful. I look forward to seeing how your apple is getting on too.