Hoar Cross Cider

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!

Or is it just just beginning? Now that March is here frost and some snow flurries have arrived. Everything is still a mire of mud at the moment as a result of our grey and soggy winter. Spread some fertiliser last month it will still be tail end of April before the trees wake up.  Second week of March we will be pruning

Welcome to our new website!

I wonder if it’ll be cold like this previous year…(New year 2015 Dove Valley)

We are just starting out, so please watch this space and Happy New Year.

All the best Hoar Cross Cider…. Staffordshire Grown and Brewed!!

The trees have taken root at the new site, thanks to the hard work of the winter planting party.

It looks far prettier in spring, instead of the howling  icy gale when they where planted.