Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?

In article , Christina Websell 
 writes
>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>
More information, please.

Large, small, herb, bush, tree, climber?

Lots of berries or only one on a stem?

Photograph available?

And I had to look up "cerise" :-))

-- 
Malcolm

"Malcolm"  wrote in message 
news:XCCziQSFBdUHFw0E@indaal.demon.co.uk...
>
> In article , Christina Websell 
>  writes
>>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>>
> More information, please.
>
> Large, small, herb, bush, tree, climber?

small tree, large shrub.  L:ike a wild blackthorn.
>
> Lots of berries or only one on a stem?

Just a couple on each stem, I think



> Photograph available?

Nope, I didn't have my camera with me..
>
> And I had to look up "cerise" :-))

<g> but that's the colour the outside fleshy stuff is.  Wild pink.  It is 
obviously a fruit, it looks like a pretty pink flower with a yellow bud 
inside.  Your guess is as good as mine.

Tina
(P.S I stole two and I have them in my pocket)

In message , Christina Websell 
 writes
>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>
Try Euonymus europaeus (spindle). (I'd call the berry orange, so you may 
have another species, or a variant.)
-- 
Stewart Robert Hinsley

In article <$lh0TiJf5eUHFwCk@meden.invalid>, Stewart Robert Hinsley 
<{$news$}@meden.demon.co.uk> writes
>In message , Christina Websell 
> writes
>>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>>
>Try Euonymus europaeus (spindle). (I'd call the berry orange, so you 
>may have another species, or a variant.)

I agree. You're obviously better at this sort of thing than me :-)

I felt I needed a bit more info which Tina has kindly supplied which 
confirms spindle.

And "cerise" is quite a good description :-)

-- 
Malcolm

In article , Malcolm 
 writes
>
>In article <$lh0TiJf5eUHFwCk@meden.invalid>, Stewart Robert Hinsley 
><{$news$}@meden.demon.co.uk> writes
>>In message , Christina Websell 
>> writes
>>>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>>>
>>Try Euonymus europaeus (spindle). (I'd call the berry orange, so you 
>>may have another species, or a variant.)
>
>I agree. You're obviously better at this sort of thing than me :-)
>
>I felt I needed a bit more info which Tina has kindly supplied which 
>confirms spindle.
>
>And "cerise" is quite a good description :-)
>
I forgot to add that the berries of all the common varieties of spindle 
in this country are poisonous!

And see:
http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/5Spindle.htm

-- 
Malcolm

"Stewart Robert Hinsley" <{$news$}@meden.demon.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:$lh0TiJf5eUHFwCk@meden.invalid...
> In message , Christina Websell 
>  writes
>>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>>
> Try Euonymus europaeus (spindle). (I'd call the berry orange, so you may 
> have another species, or a variant.)
> -- 


Yes, that's it!   Thanks.

"Malcolm"  wrote in message 
news:IK70wiciymUHFwmg@indaal.demon.co.uk...
>
> In article , Malcolm 
>  writes
>>
>>In article <$lh0TiJf5eUHFwCk@meden.invalid>, Stewart Robert Hinsley 
>><{$news$}@meden.demon.co.uk> writes
>>>In message , Christina Websell 
>>> writes
>>>>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>>>>
>>>Try Euonymus europaeus (spindle). (I'd call the berry orange, so you may 
>>>have another species, or a variant.)
>>
>>I agree. You're obviously better at this sort of thing than me :-)
>>
>>I felt I needed a bit more info which Tina has kindly supplied which 
>>confirms spindle.
>>
>>And "cerise" is quite a good description :-)
>>
> I forgot to add that the berries of all the common varieties of spindle in 
> this country are poisonous!
>
> And see:
> http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/5Spindle.htm
>

Are the berries OK for birds?  I was thinking of trying to propagate the 
seeds and then planting the shrubs in my "new" garden.  I'm in the process 
of buying some of my neighbour's garden to extend sideways.  It's been 
almost totally neglected for 20 years, so the birds just love it!  I shall 
tame it a bit but not too much, the aim is to make it just as bird-friendly 
but be able to walk around it without hacking through the brambles :-)
There's a marvellous framework underneath there somewhere, a huge willow, a 
horse chestnut, several apple trees, pears, plums, damsons, a beautiful 
neglected pond with a stone bridge across.  It's quite exciting.

Tina

On Sun, 2 Dec 2007 11:21:30 -0000, "Christina Websell"
 wrote:

>
>"Malcolm"  wrote in message 
>news:IK70wiciymUHFwmg@indaal.demon.co.uk...
>>
>> In article , Malcolm 
>>  writes
>>>
>>>In article <$lh0TiJf5eUHFwCk@meden.invalid>, Stewart Robert Hinsley 
>>><{$news$}@meden.demon.co.uk> writes
>>>>In message , Christina Websell 
>>>> writes
>>>>>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>>>>>
>>>>Try Euonymus europaeus (spindle). (I'd call the berry orange, so you may 
>>>>have another species, or a variant.)
>>>
>>>I agree. You're obviously better at this sort of thing than me :-)
>>>
>>>I felt I needed a bit more info which Tina has kindly supplied which 
>>>confirms spindle.
>>>
>>>And "cerise" is quite a good description :-)
>>>
>> I forgot to add that the berries of all the common varieties of spindle in 
>> this country are poisonous!
>>
>> And see:
>> http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/5Spindle.htm
>>
>
>Are the berries OK for birds?  I was thinking of trying to propagate the 
>seeds and then planting the shrubs in my "new" garden.  I'm in the process 
>of buying some of my neighbour's garden to extend sideways.  It's been 
>almost totally neglected for 20 years, so the birds just love it!  I shall 
>tame it a bit but not too much, the aim is to make it just as bird-friendly 
>but be able to walk around it without hacking through the brambles :-)
>There's a marvellous framework underneath there somewhere, a huge willow, a 
>horse chestnut, several apple trees, pears, plums, damsons, a beautiful 
>neglected pond with a stone bridge across.  It's quite exciting.

Well, it's a native shrub that's fairly common on chalky soils in my
area (Chilterns) - and the fact it displays its berries so clearly
would suggest they are aimed at birds. Not being a bird-watcher
myself, I can't say I have ever seen birds eating them but I think
you'll find that if the birds do eat them then they'll be safe for the
birds to eat ... and in any case it's a lovely splash of winter colour
for any garden :o)

The garden project sounds very exciting. I would tend to leave large
trees like the chestnut and possibly trim back the willow - depending
on how leggy it has got. Willows do have a tendency to be brittle and
when they get too big they split and fall over so bear that in mind -
it's not all that bad for wildlife but it might be bad for any
surrounding buildings! Fruit trees are a different thing entirely and
depending on how old they are I might leave any old apples to grow old
and rot out - there are a few very rare native chafer beetles that
rely on living in the rotting core of old apple trees.

If you have overgrown areas of shrubs then I would tackle them slowly,
over a period of years if possible so that the resident wildlife has
time to adapt. If the shrubs have all grown up at the same time you
will probably have a tangle of plants that are all quite old and
woody, which is fine for some thing but not for others. Try to cut
back/coppice no more than 1/3 or 1/4 of the plants per year and that
way over time you will have plants of different ages throughout the
garden. 

Not sure about the pond (it depends on aspect and size) but if you
give me your email address I can suggest an pond expert who will be
able to give you some advice.

Anyway, this whole plan is intended to increase the number of
(micro)habitats in your garden and draw in as many species as
possible. :o)    If you get in touch with your local Wildlife Trust
they often have people there who can advise you too. 

Best wishes,
Chris R.

In article , Christina Websell 
 writes
>
>"Malcolm"  wrote in message
>news:IK70wiciymUHFwmg@indaal.demon.co.uk...
>>
>> In article , Malcolm
>>  writes
>>>
>>>In article <$lh0TiJf5eUHFwCk@meden.invalid>, Stewart Robert Hinsley
>>><{$news$}@meden.demon.co.uk> writes
>>>>In message , Christina Websell
>>>> writes
>>>>>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>>>>>
>>>>Try Euonymus europaeus (spindle). (I'd call the berry orange, so you may
>>>>have another species, or a variant.)
>>>
>>>I agree. You're obviously better at this sort of thing than me :-)
>>>
>>>I felt I needed a bit more info which Tina has kindly supplied which
>>>confirms spindle.
>>>
>>>And "cerise" is quite a good description :-)
>>>
>> I forgot to add that the berries of all the common varieties of spindle in
>> this country are poisonous!
>>
>> And see:
>> http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/5Spindle.htm
>>
>
>Are the berries OK for birds?  I was thinking of trying to propagate the
>seeds and then planting the shrubs in my "new" garden.  I'm in the process
>of buying some of my neighbour's garden to extend sideways.  It's been
>almost totally neglected for 20 years, so the birds just love it!  I shall
>tame it a bit but not too much, the aim is to make it just as bird-friendly
>but be able to walk around it without hacking through the brambles :-)
>There's a marvellous framework underneath there somewhere, a huge willow, a
>horse chestnut, several apple trees, pears, plums, damsons, a beautiful
>neglected pond with a stone bridge across.  It's quite exciting.
>
Birds love spindle fruits and don't seem harmed by them. It is very 
probably the seed inside which is poisonous and even if harmful to birds 
will either be discarded or pass through untouched.

-- 
Malcolm

"Christina Websell"  wrote in message 
news:5rfhjpF11op38U1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "Stewart Robert Hinsley" <{$news$}@meden.demon.co.uk> wrote in message 
> news:$lh0TiJf5eUHFwCk@meden.invalid...
>> In message , Christina Websell 
>>  writes
>>>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>>>
>> Try Euonymus europaeus (spindle). (I'd call the berry orange, so you may 
>> have another species, or a variant.)
>> -- 
>
>
> Yes, that's it!   Thanks.
>
I read somewhere that farmers do not like the spindle bush because it is 
said
to harbour blackfly.
See Wiki - "
This species is often damaged by caterpillars during the flowering 
season[11].
It is a favoured home for blackfly, so should not be grown near broad 
beans[121]. "

"Cheb"  wrote in message 
news:l975l3dg0ho8ptmmbs0q81b18igdqphh7h@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 2 Dec 2007 11:21:30 -0000, "Christina Websell"
>  wrote:
>
>>
>>"Malcolm"  wrote in message
>>news:IK70wiciymUHFwmg@indaal.demon.co.uk...
>>>
>>> In article , Malcolm
>>>  writes
>>>>
>>>>In article <$lh0TiJf5eUHFwCk@meden.invalid>, Stewart Robert Hinsley
>>>><{$news$}@meden.demon.co.uk> writes
>>>>>In message , Christina Websell
>>>>> writes
>>There's a marvellous framework underneath there somewhere, a huge willow, 
>>a
>>horse chestnut, several apple trees, pears, plums, damsons, a beautiful
>>neglected pond with a stone bridge across.  It's quite exciting.
>
> Well, it's a native shrub that's fairly common on chalky soils in my
> area (Chilterns) - and the fact it displays its berries so clearly
> would suggest they are aimed at birds. Not being a bird-watcher
> myself, I can't say I have ever seen birds eating them but I think
> you'll find that if the birds do eat them then they'll be safe for the
> birds to eat ... and in any case it's a lovely splash of winter colour
> for any garden :o)

Certainly a startling colour!  I found I had 3 seeds in my pocket, so I 
planted them in a pot this morning, will leave out over the winter and see 
if anything comes up next year.
>
> The garden project sounds very exciting. I would tend to leave large
> trees like the chestnut and possibly trim back the willow - depending
> on how leggy it has got. Willows do have a tendency to be brittle and
> when they get too big they split and fall over so bear that in mind -

The willow *did* split a little about 4 years ago, when my late neighbour 
was still living there and the heavy branches fell and destroyed our mutual 
fence and blocked my way down my garden.  As a result the tree was severely 
pollarded.   It's thrown up new wood about 30 feet, but the branches are now 
slender and I am hoping the lack of weight will keep it upright for now.

> it's not all that bad for wildlife but it might be bad for any
> surrounding buildings!

<g>  Fortunately, even if it did fall, it is far enough away from any 
houses.

> Fruit trees are a different thing entirely and
> depending on how old they are I might leave any old apples to grow old
> and rot out - there are a few very rare native chafer beetles that
> rely on living in the rotting core of old apple trees.

I intend to do that.  The house the garden was once attached to was built in 
the 30's.  The apple/pear trees are probably not much younger than that and 
neither is the willow.  The fruit trees still fruit well, especially the 
apples. It was really well planned. Varieties of apples that fruited in 
succession.  Most cookers, one eater (russet)
One is definitely a Bramley.  I would love to identify the others but I am 
too mean to pay the quite high cost of finding out ;-)

>
> If you have overgrown areas of shrubs then I would tackle them slowly,
> over a period of years if possible so that the resident wildlife has
> time to adapt. If the shrubs have all grown up at the same time you
> will probably have a tangle of plants that are all quite old and
> woody, which is fine for some thing but not for others. Try to cut
> back/coppice no more than 1/3 or 1/4 of the plants per year and that
> way over time you will have plants of different ages throughout the
> garden.

That's a good idea that I had not thought of.

>
> Not sure about the pond (it depends on aspect and size) but if you
> give me your email address I can suggest an pond expert who will be
> able to give you some advice.

Ah, the pond.  It is maybe 3 metres long x 2 wide.  My late neighbour, Alan, 
built it himself - he was a master bricklayer.  Just after he built it he 
had to look after his small grandchildren so he never sealed the concrete in 
case they fell in.   It's now full of soil and elder trees.
Alan loved wildlife and he built his pond accordingly.  It has sloping sides 
and different depths in steps.  Under the bridge it is at least 3 feet deep.

It is a condition that I take on this garden (full of broken glass and 
abandoned sofas and microwaves and all sorts of stuff) that it will be 
sorted before I get it.
>
> Anyway, this whole plan is intended to increase the number of
> (micro)habitats in your garden and draw in as many species as
> possible. :o)    If you get in touch with your local Wildlife Trust
> they often have people there who can advise you too.
>

Thank you so much for your great advice, I appreciate it.

"Malcolm"  wrote in message 
news:0o6boOlkVqUHFwDk@indaal.demon.co.uk...
>
> In article , Christina Websell 
>  writes
>>
>>"Malcolm"  wrote in message
>>news:IK70wiciymUHFwmg@indaal.demon.co.uk...
>>>
>>> In article , Malcolm
>>>  writes
>>>>
>>>>In article <$lh0TiJf5eUHFwCk@meden.invalid>, Stewart Robert Hinsley
>>>><{$news$}@meden.demon.co.uk> writes
>>>>>In message , Christina Websell
>>>>> writes
>>>>>>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>>>>>>
>>>>>Try Euonymus europaeus (spindle). (I'd call the berry orange, so you 
>>>>>may
>>>>>have another species, or a variant.)
>>>>
>>>>I agree. You're obviously better at this sort of thing than me :-)
>>>>
>>>>I felt I needed a bit more info which Tina has kindly supplied which
>>>>confirms spindle.
>>>>
>>>>And "cerise" is quite a good description :-)
>>>>
>>> I forgot to add that the berries of all the common varieties of spindle 
>>> in
>>> this country are poisonous!
>>>
>>> And see:
>>> http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/5Spindle.htm
>>>
>>
>>Are the berries OK for birds?  I was thinking of trying to propagate the
>>seeds and then planting the shrubs in my "new" garden.  I'm in the process
>>of buying some of my neighbour's garden to extend sideways.  It's been
>>almost totally neglected for 20 years, so the birds just love it!  I shall
>>tame it a bit but not too much, the aim is to make it just as 
>>bird-friendly
>>but be able to walk around it without hacking through the brambles :-)
>>There's a marvellous framework underneath there somewhere, a huge willow, 
>>a
>>horse chestnut, several apple trees, pears, plums, damsons, a beautiful
>>neglected pond with a stone bridge across.  It's quite exciting.
>>
> Birds love spindle fruits and don't seem harmed by them. It is very 
> probably the seed inside which is poisonous and even if harmful to birds 
> will either be discarded or pass through untouched.
>
I see from the internet (now I know what they are) that spindleberries are 
described as "robin's bread" since robins seem to like eating the fruit 
pulp.
They are such a startling colour that I am surprised that any bird would 
even consider them :-)

On Sun, 2 Dec 2007 15:40:58 -0000, "Christina Websell"
 wrote:

>
>"Malcolm"  wrote in message 
>news:0o6boOlkVqUHFwDk@indaal.demon.co.uk...
>>
>> In article , Christina Websell 
>>  writes
>>>
>>>"Malcolm"  wrote in message
>>>news:IK70wiciymUHFwmg@indaal.demon.co.uk...
>>>>
>>>> In article , Malcolm
>>>>  writes
>>>>>
>>>>>In article <$lh0TiJf5eUHFwCk@meden.invalid>, Stewart Robert Hinsley
>>>>><{$news$}@meden.demon.co.uk> writes
>>>>>>In message , Christina Websell
>>>>>> writes
>>>>>>>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>Try Euonymus europaeus (spindle). (I'd call the berry orange, so you 
>>>>>>may
>>>>>>have another species, or a variant.)
>>>>>
>>>>>I agree. You're obviously better at this sort of thing than me :-)
>>>>>
>>>>>I felt I needed a bit more info which Tina has kindly supplied which
>>>>>confirms spindle.
>>>>>
>>>>>And "cerise" is quite a good description :-)
>>>>>
>>>> I forgot to add that the berries of all the common varieties of spindle 
>>>> in
>>>> this country are poisonous!
>>>>
>>>> And see:
>>>> http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/5Spindle.htm
>>>>
>>>
>>>Are the berries OK for birds?  I was thinking of trying to propagate the
>>>seeds and then planting the shrubs in my "new" garden.  I'm in the process
>>>of buying some of my neighbour's garden to extend sideways.  It's been
>>>almost totally neglected for 20 years, so the birds just love it!  I shall
>>>tame it a bit but not too much, the aim is to make it just as 
>>>bird-friendly
>>>but be able to walk around it without hacking through the brambles :-)
>>>There's a marvellous framework underneath there somewhere, a huge willow, 
>>>a
>>>horse chestnut, several apple trees, pears, plums, damsons, a beautiful
>>>neglected pond with a stone bridge across.  It's quite exciting.
>>>
>> Birds love spindle fruits and don't seem harmed by them. It is very 
>> probably the seed inside which is poisonous and even if harmful to birds 
>> will either be discarded or pass through untouched.
>>
>I see from the internet (now I know what they are) that spindleberries are 
>described as "robin's bread" since robins seem to like eating the fruit 
>pulp.
>They are such a startling colour that I am surprised that any bird would 
>even consider them :-)

Well, colourful berries are the opposite of colourful animals - bright
reds and oranges are usually an advertisement to attract birds and
other animals to eat them :o)

Chris R.

In message , Malcolm 
 writes
>
>In article <$lh0TiJf5eUHFwCk@meden.invalid>, Stewart Robert Hinsley 
><{$news$}@meden.demon.co.uk> writes
>>In message , Christina Websell 
>> writes
>>>Cerise, sort of like a flower with a yellow berry in.  Ideas?
>>>
>>Try Euonymus europaeus (spindle). (I'd call the berry orange, so you 
>>may have another species, or a variant.)
>
>I agree. You're obviously better at this sort of thing than me :-)

It probably depends on the plant. Some plants are easy when you know 
them, and spindle (in fruit) is one of them, since there's just the one 
native species. (I thrice identified Salsify from sketchy descriptions 
on newsgroups before I ever saw the plant.) But when it comes to some 
other plants I can't even identify them when I'm looking at them (e.g. 
most yellow Lactuceae, cut-leaved Anthemideae, Salix).
>
>I felt I needed a bit more info which Tina has kindly supplied which 
>confirms spindle.
>
>And "cerise" is quite a good description :-)
>

-- 
Stewart Robert Hinsley

On Sun, 2 Dec 2007 15:30:23 -0000, "Christina Websell"
 wrote:

>
>"Cheb"  wrote in message 
>news:l975l3dg0ho8ptmmbs0q81b18igdqphh7h@4ax.com...
>> On Sun, 2 Dec 2007 11:21:30 -0000, "Christina Websell"
>>  wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"Malcolm"  wrote in message
>>>news:IK70wiciymUHFwmg@indaal.demon.co.uk...
>>>>
>>>> In article , Malcolm
>>>>  writes
>>>>>
>>>>>In article <$lh0TiJf5eUHFwCk@meden.invalid>, Stewart Robert Hinsley
>>>>><{$news$}@meden.demon.co.uk> writes
>>>>>>In message , Christina Websell
>>>>>> writes
>>>There's a marvellous framework underneath there somewhere, a huge willow, 
>>>a
>>>horse chestnut, several apple trees, pears, plums, damsons, a beautiful
>>>neglected pond with a stone bridge across.  It's quite exciting.
>>
>> Well, it's a native shrub that's fairly common on chalky soils in my
>> area (Chilterns) - and the fact it displays its berries so clearly
>> would suggest they are aimed at birds. Not being a bird-watcher
>> myself, I can't say I have ever seen birds eating them but I think
>> you'll find that if the birds do eat them then they'll be safe for the
>> birds to eat ... and in any case it's a lovely splash of winter colour
>> for any garden :o)
>
>Certainly a startling colour!  I found I had 3 seeds in my pocket, so I 
>planted them in a pot this morning, will leave out over the winter and see 
>if anything comes up next year.
>>
>> The garden project sounds very exciting. I would tend to leave large
>> trees like the chestnut and possibly trim back the willow - depending
>> on how leggy it has got. Willows do have a tendency to be brittle and
>> when they get too big they split and fall over so bear that in mind -
>
>The willow *did* split a little about 4 years ago, when my late neighbour 
>was still living there and the heavy branches fell and destroyed our mutual 
>fence and blocked my way down my garden.  As a result the tree was severely 
>pollarded.   It's thrown up new wood about 30 feet, but the branches are now 
>slender and I am hoping the lack of weight will keep it upright for now.

I'd just manage it as a pollard then and if you do cut any branches
off it (or other trees) just stack the wood in piles in the garden to
rot and act as homes/habitats for other things. I do the same with
brush & scrub too - burning usually just creates a patch of overly
fertile soil where nettles and brambles take over. You can also stand
logs up to act as 'standing dead-wood' (a different habitat) and also
try situating dead wood in both sunny and shady areas - thereby
creating another different set of habitats :o)

>> it's not all that bad for wildlife but it might be bad for any
>> surrounding buildings!
>
><g>  Fortunately, even if it did fall, it is far enough away from any 
>houses.
>
>> Fruit trees are a different thing entirely and
>> depending on how old they are I might leave any old apples to grow old
>> and rot out - there are a few very rare native chafer beetles that
>> rely on living in the rotting core of old apple trees.
>
>I intend to do that.  The house the garden was once attached to was built in 
>the 30's.  The apple/pear trees are probably not much younger than that and 
>neither is the willow.  The fruit trees still fruit well, especially the 
>apples. It was really well planned. Varieties of apples that fruited in 
>succession.  Most cookers, one eater (russet)
>One is definitely a Bramley.  I would love to identify the others but I am 
>too mean to pay the quite high cost of finding out ;-)

Sounds lovely - watch out for Noble Chafers then - they're bright
green and rough-textured, compared with the bridge green & shiny Rose
Chafers :o)

http://www.ptes.org/work/baps/noble-chafer.html
http://www.orchard-group.uklinux.net/glos/chafer.html

>> If you have overgrown areas of shrubs then I would tackle them slowly,
>> over a period of years if possible so that the resident wildlife has
>> time to adapt. If the shrubs have all grown up at the same time you
>> will probably have a tangle of plants that are all quite old and
>> woody, which is fine for some thing but not for others. Try to cut
>> back/coppice no more than 1/3 or 1/4 of the plants per year and that
>> way over time you will have plants of different ages throughout the
>> garden.
>
>That's a good idea that I had not thought of.
>
>>
>> Not sure about the pond (it depends on aspect and size) but if you
>> give me your email address I can suggest an pond expert who will be
>> able to give you some advice.
>
>Ah, the pond.  It is maybe 3 metres long x 2 wide.  My late neighbour, Alan, 
>built it himself - he was a master bricklayer.  Just after he built it he 
>had to look after his small grandchildren so he never sealed the concrete in 
>case they fell in.   It's now full of soil and elder trees.
>Alan loved wildlife and he built his pond accordingly.  It has sloping sides 
>and different depths in steps.  Under the bridge it is at least 3 feet deep.

Sounds like is it a bit small to have its own management plan then ;o)
But still, you could do quite a bit with it when it is fixed.

>It is a condition that I take on this garden (full of broken glass and 
>abandoned sofas and microwaves and all sorts of stuff) that it will be 
>sorted before I get it.
>>
>> Anyway, this whole plan is intended to increase the number of
>> (micro)habitats in your garden and draw in as many species as
>> possible. :o)    If you get in touch with your local Wildlife Trust
>> they often have people there who can advise you too.
>>
>
>Thank you so much for your great advice, I appreciate it.

No problem - my pleasure :o)

Chris R.

Christina Websell wrote:
> ...One is definitely a Bramley.  I would love to identify the others but
> I am too mean to pay the quite high cost of finding out ;-) ...

Some areas have apple fairs where there are experts who, I think, may be 
able to identify leaves and/or fruit. Presumably for free, like Antiques 
Roadshow, but that is supposition. This is all  just hearsay; I've never 
been to get my apple identified!

Mike.
-- 
If reply address = connectfee, add an r because it is free not fee.

"Mike Coon" <mjcoon@@connectfee.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:13l8q4694m0ks67@corp.supernews.com...
> Christina Websell wrote:
>> ...One is definitely a Bramley.  I would love to identify the others but
>> I am too mean to pay the quite high cost of finding out ;-) ...
>
> Some areas have apple fairs where there are experts who, I think, may be 
> able to identify leaves and/or fruit. Presumably for free, like Antiques 
> Roadshow, but that is supposition. This is all  just hearsay; I've never 
> been to get my apple identified!
>
 I hadn't realised this, I thought it had to be done privately.  I found a 
site on the web a while ago that offered an apple identification service but 
ISTR it was £30 if not more for each identification.  I might have done it 
if I only had one variety to do ;-)
However, you inspired me to search further, and I discovered I missed a 
chance to have my apples identified on October 7 only 6 miles away <sigh>  I 
found the info on this site for the 2007 events, most counties were included 
on it, but hopefully it will be done again next year:
http://www.commonground.org.uk/appleday/a-events.html

It should be enough, I suppose, to know that I am inheriting one "eater" 
which is a russet apple, so not too many that one could be, and several 
"cookers" (all different)  but I have an enquiring mind and want to know 
their names!
I wish I could have afforded to buy the whole orchard but sadly I can't. 
All of the other old apple trees outside my "buy zone" will now be uprooted 
in the quest to build f*rty little bungalows for lots of profit.

Anyway, I'm glad some of the trees will be saved, and the pond - which is 
bigger than I said before, I looked again - will be up and running in a few 
months time.  There is also a tree house in one of the bigger apple trees 
which I shall use to birdwatch from, and also a brick built greenhouse that 
only needs re-glazing.  My late neighbour built it himself, same as the pond 
and the stone bridge, he was a master bricklayer.  I am still in touch with 
his wife who has moved away.  When I told her I was going to buy part of 
what was their garden she said "if Alan knew this, he would jump for joy" 
That's because we both had wildlife and birds as our priorities.