How to grow your own fruit trees


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Plant: November to January
Harvest: September to January

Damsons have their own distinctive taste and will produce abundant oval fruits, often succeeding where plum trees fail.

Recommended varieties: There are only a few varieties: the Westmorland damson ("easy to grow, it likes limestone soil and handles any conditions including high rainfall," reports Bob Bradley from the Westmorland Damson Association); the Shropshire damson, which also grows almost anywhere; the Merryweather, with its larger root and firm, juicy skin; and the Fairleigh, which is commonly found in Kent.

Sowing and planting: Damson trees are hardy and grow in most soils, often succeeding where plum trees fail and boasting a productive life of around 50 years. They don't like being shaded, though, and blossom time should be dry for good pollination. Damsons are best grown from plant suckers (damson shoots springing up from the roots of older trees); plant in groups 4-5m apart and grow using the fan-trained method.

Pruning and training: Don't prune too often; these robust trees don't need much attention to produce a high yield. Simply prune during the dormant period to keep an open framework for the tree to let light in, and get rid of damaged branches. Enjoy the spectacular white blossoms in spring.

Pests and diseases: If you notice any holes in the leaves of your damson tree, it's probably a fungal problem called shot-hole disease. Brown spots appear on the leaves and turn into small holes; it seems to attack weak trees so build up resistance by adding fertiliser in early spring.

Harvesting: If growing from suckers, don't expect anything for 6-7 years; if buying small plants from a nursery these will already be 2-3 years old.

Storage : Damsons are said to mellow if exposed to frost so leave them out over winter and protect from hungry birds. They also freeze well: discard any bad fruit, wash and dry the rest and freeze.

Growing in a container: You'll only ever reap a paltry yield if grown in a container.

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