Basically a year of re thinking. The trees did not grow especially well in 2015 due to producing an excess of flower buds so at the end of winter we pruned the trees hard back and eliminated as much flower growth as possible. Last winters pruning proved to be beneficial as the Deacons Trees have been rejuvenated. We have lost two; not sure why but they just died.

We  added about an extra 60 trees from Tom Adams over at Oswestry which we planted in March. Mostly Dabinett, Browns , Yarlington and some extra Kingstone Black on m25.

At the years end we planted ten Pigs Snout on m106 theses trees are grafted from August 2015 off our own tree at Snelston. These were produced by Rob Watkins, of Lodge Farm Trees at Rockhampton, Gloucestershire. This variety is especially vigorous as the trees though 1 yr old on semi vigorous stock are nearly 6 foot tall.

The year has seen us bashing the grass, and having a go at some of the trees in the woods. We need to fell quite a few. Need to develop the under story and to get some light on the oak trees. Snelston has produced quite a harvest and we have about 300l on the go for personal consumption!