Birds Farm Trees

Birds Farm Trees A small family run tree nursery offering local viewing and pick up together with UK wide delivery. A small tree nursery located on the Suffolk/Essex border.

We stock a large selection of fruit and ornamental/garden trees. In addition we can supply both evergreen and native hedging. Our nursery is open for pre-arranged visits or we can offer a nationwide delivery service through www.treesandmore.co.uk

Are your apples or pears dropping early?Early fruit drop is surprisingly common and most of the time, it’s a natural sur...
10/09/2026

Are your apples or pears dropping early?

Early fruit drop is surprisingly common and most of the time, it’s a natural survival trick. When a tree is stressed or lacking something essential, it sheds some fruit to save energy and protect itself.

Common causes of early fruit drop:
❌ Water stress - if a tree isn’t getting enough water, it drops fruit to conserve moisture
❌ Pest damage - insects like codling moth burrow into fruit, causing the tree to reject it early
❌ Nutrient imbalance - too little calcium or too much nitrogen can stop fruit staying attached
❌ Heavy crop load - trees often shed excess fruit when they’ve produced more than the branches can safely support

How to help prevent early fruit drop:
✅ Water deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry spells
✅ Thin the fruit in spring so the tree isn’t overloaded later in the season
✅ Check for pests and use safe, natural methods or traps to keep fruit healthy

If you’d like more in‑depth advice about your tree, give Mike a call - he’ll be happy to help.

Wildlife helps our trees, so how can we help the wildlifeCreating a wildlife‑friendly corner in your garden or outdoor s...
07/09/2026

Wildlife helps our trees, so how can we help the wildlife

Creating a wildlife‑friendly corner in your garden or outdoor space is one of the easiest ways to support the insects and creatures that keep your trees healthy.

Here are a few simple ideas:
🌱 Leave a patch of grass unmown: long grass provides shelter from heat, creates micro‑habitats and gives small insects a safe place to hide.
🐜 Build a bug hotel : use stacks of rotting wood, prunings or an old terracotta pot filled with twigs, bamboo and leaves. Even a small bundle can attract helpful insects.
💧Add water: a bird bath or a tiny container pond can support birds, bees, hoverflies and other beneficial wildlife.
❌ Avoid artificial sprays and fertilisers: letting the natural food chain do its job is the best long‑term pest control. Manual removal is slower, but it protects the ecosystem around your trees.

Tell us how you’ve encouraged wildlife in your garden or outdoor space - we’d love to hear your ideas.

Not all bugs are bad At this time of year, your trees will be full of insect activity and that’s not always a bad thing....
02/09/2026

Not all bugs are bad

At this time of year, your trees will be full of insect activity and that’s not always a bad thing. While aphids, red spider mites and caterpillars can cause damage, there are plenty of beneficial insects working hard to keep your trees healthy.

Ladybirds, green lacewings, hoverfly larvae, certain wasps, ants and flower bugs all feed on the pests that harm fruit trees. They’re nature’s built‑in pest control, and encouraging them can make a huge difference to your tree’s health.

When fruit starts to ripen, do keep an eye out for wasps and other insects, as they may move into over‑ripe fruit, so harvesting on time helps prevent that.

If you’re unsure whether the insects you’re seeing are helpful or harmful, Mike is always happy to take a look and give advice.

Remember: choose natural treatments where possible, or use gentle manual removal to keep your tree in balance with the wildlife around it.

Do you grow trees in containers?Container‑grown trees need a little extra care in summer, especially during hot, dry spe...
24/08/2026

Do you grow trees in containers?

Container‑grown trees need a little extra care in summer, especially during hot, dry spells.

Here are a few simple ways to keep them healthy and thriving:
✅ Water thoroughly: make sure the water reaches the root ball. Water until you see it running from the drainage holes.
✅ Keep drainage clear: blocked holes can lead to waterlogging, which quickly damages roots.
✅ Check daily: container soil dries out fast, so monitor moisture levels regularly in hot weather.
✅ Use rainwater when possible: especially for acid‑loving or sensitive trees.
✅ Give a liquid boost: a balanced liquid feed or liquid seaweed every two weeks replaces nutrients lost through frequent watering.
✅ Provide shade when needed: delicate trees may need protection from harsh midday sun to prevent leaf scorch. Just be cautious: some trees dislike being moved too often.

If you have any questions about caring for your container‑grown trees, Mike will be pleased to help.

Are you watering your trees correctly?It’s a common belief that trees don’t need watering — but they absolutely do, espe...
19/08/2026

Are you watering your trees correctly?

It’s a common belief that trees don’t need watering — but they absolutely do, especially in the high temperatures we’ve had recently. Young trees, container trees and newly planted trees are the most vulnerable.

Here are some of the most common watering mistakes:
❌Shallow watering — only wetting the top layer of soil keeps roots close to the surface, making the tree less stable and more prone to drought stress
❌Not enough water — most trees need around 20–50 litres a week in dry summer weather
❌Overwatering — some soils don’t drain well; constantly saturating them can suffocate roots
❌High‑pressure watering — blasting the soil with a hose washes soil away and exposes roots
❌Wrong time of day — watering in full sun leads to fast evaporation; watering late at night can encourage fungal diseases

Our simple watering tips
✔️Water in the morning
✔️Use low pressure so the soil stays in place
✔️Water the soil, not the trunk
✔️Check that roots aren’t becoming exposed

What other watering tips do you swear by, let us know in the comments.\

It’s the time of year you may start spotting signs of pestsLots of insects are actually beneficial and play an important...
03/07/2026

It’s the time of year you may start spotting signs of pests

Lots of insects are actually beneficial and play an important role in a healthy garden ecosystem. But if you want the best crop from your fruit trees, and to prevent damage, it’s worth keeping an eye out for the troublesome ones.

Here are a few ways to manage pests naturally:
🐜 Sticky or pheromone traps can help reduce certain insect populations and are an effective, low‑chemical option.
🐛 Manual removal works too, washing greenfly or blackfly off with a hose, or picking off slugs. It can be time‑consuming, but it’s very effective.
🐝 Encourage beneficial insects like hoverflies and ladybirds. Planting open, nectar‑rich flowers will attract them, boost your garden’s ecosystem and support natural pest control.

🌿 Tell us in the comments — what are your go‑to pest control methods

And if you’re worried about something on your trees, get in touch with Mike. He’s always happy to help.



Photo: showing web on apple tree, created by catepillars.

Is it time to unstake your trees?Most trees, except very small ones, benefit from staking when they’re first planted. St...
30/06/2026

Is it time to unstake your trees?

Most trees, except very small ones, benefit from staking when they’re first planted. Stakes help young trees establish a strong root system by preventing too much movement in the soil. Generally, trees over 140cm (around 4.5ft) need staking for their first couple of years, until they’ve developed a sturdy trunk and roots that can support them on their own.

Now that trees are fully awake and heading into their main growing period, it’s a great time to check your stakes and ties:
> Make sure ties aren’t digging into the trunk, if they’re getting tight, loosen or remove them as soon as possible
> Check the stake is still secure and actually doing its job
> Decide whether the tree still needs support, many can be safely unstaked after 1–2 years

Most stakes can be removed by hand if they haven’t been in too long. But if a stake has been in for several years or is very close to the trunk, it’s often best to saw it off at ground level rather than pulling it out and disturbing the roots.

🌳 If you’re unsure about removing stakes or ties, get in touch with Mike, he’s always happy to help.

Is it time to thin your fruit?When those tiny young fruits start appearing, it’s an exciting sign of what your harvest c...
27/06/2026

Is it time to thin your fruit?

When those tiny young fruits start appearing, it’s an exciting sign of what your harvest could look like — but it’s also the moment to step in and help your tree stay healthy.

Thinning early fruit isn’t just about improving flavour; it protects the tree and supports better crops in the long run.

Why thinning matters
🍎 Better fruit quality — fewer fruits mean the tree can direct more nutrients into each one, giving you sweeter, larger, higher‑quality harvests
🍏 More consistent cropping — thinning helps prevent the “boom and bust” cycle of a heavy crop one year and almost nothing the next
🍎 Prevents branch damage — heavy clusters can easily snap young or slender branches
🍏 Reduces disease spread — removing damaged or diseased early fruit stops problems travelling through the rest of the tree (or to neighbouring trees)

How much should you thin?
As a rule of thumb, aim to space small fruits 15–20cm apart, giving each one room to grow without touching.

If you’re unsure how much to remove or what your tree needs, Mike is always happy to give advice.

🍐 Tell us below, what’s your favourite fruit tree?

Is your tree hungry?Fruit trees can be greedy! During their main growing season, so much of their energy goes into produ...
24/06/2026

Is your tree hungry?

Fruit trees can be greedy! During their main growing season, so much of their energy goes into producing flowers, leaves and fruit that the soil can quickly become depleted of nutrients.

Feeding your trees helps replace those nutrients, supporting:
> Strong wood growth
> Healthy, abundant flowering
> Better fruit quality and yield

Here’s what matters most:
> Potassium (potash) — essential for strong buds, blossom and fruit development
> Nitrogen — encourages leafy growth and new branches, especially important for young trees establishing their canopy
> Fresh soil or compost — boosts micronutrients that get washed out or used up over time

🌱 When to feed
Late Spring/Early Summer are the key times for feeding container-grown trees, young trees, newly planted trees and any that look a bit stunted.

Use a granular feed, keep it away from the trunk, and water thoroughly afterwards to wash the nutrients down to the roots.

⛔ Stop feeding after July

This allows the tree to slow down, harden off and prepare naturally for winter.

Got a question about feeding your trees — or not sure what yours needs — pop it in the comments or ask Mike.

The Weekend Special is back!!🌳Chivers Delight 🌳6/7ft🌳An English desert apple 🌳Crisp, sweet with some sharpness🌳Excellent...
09/05/2026

The Weekend Special is back!!
🌳Chivers Delight
🌳6/7ft
🌳An English desert apple
🌳Crisp, sweet with some sharpness
🌳Excellent cropper

Was £36. This weekend only £19.50
Call 07958 174618 or message if you would like to home this beauty!

Address

The Street
England
CO105LW

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Birds Farm Trees posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Birds Farm Trees:

Shortcuts

Share