Blossom

[Stanley]

The lilac in the front garden is in full bloom, it may get rain damaged in the next few days... It has never had this much blossom since it was planted, must be happy!

[David Whipp]

Wild roses are getting into full swing. This one on the canal bank.

[David Whipp]

Blackberry blossom being pollinated.

[Stanley]

There will be good crops of berries and fruit this Autumn... I don't remember a better year.

[David Whipp]

Folklore would have it that we're in for a harsh winter... You can see the myriad of berries developing and the conker crop will be outstanding. Here are some sloes I snapped a couple of weeks ago on the canal bank.



(I think they are sloes... please put me right if I'm wrong...)

[Stanley]

I think you are right. Get the gin in ready for making Sloe Gin, a lovely drink. I used to enjoy a glass occasionally in winter at Hey Farm and always put the glass in the hearth to warm up. One evening as Vera and I were sat there Margaret came down for a drink, she was about 4 years old. She saw the glass, said "Bina!" (Ribena), picked it up and swigged the lot! We put her back to bed and monitored her, she slept like a log but threw the covers off even though it was a cold night. No ill-effects at all....

[David Whipp]

Walnuts on the tree at the corner of the Majestic Buildings a couple of days ago. In common with conkers and everything else, there's a crazy amount of fruit on the tree. It's shedding quite a lot of these immature fruits at the moment. Is this because it can't sustain the amount it's carrying?

[Wendyf]

I don't know anything about walnut trees but that looks more like a growth caused by a parasite than a nut.

[David Whipp]

Wendy, I'll put my glasses on next time! Thanks for pointing out my mistake.

Here's a picture of the walnuts on the tree...

[Wendyf]

Were you just testing us?

[David Whipp]

No, but glad you're paying attention!

[David Whipp]

I think the first picture is walnut leaf gall. This is caused by a mite that lives on the tree.

According to a quick Google, "Aceria erinea is a mite that causes galls to form on the leaves of Walnut. Large yellowish blisters appear on the upper surface of the leaves with corresponding hollows on the underside which are lined with whitish or pale brown hairs among which the mites live and feed."

The RHS website advises that the mites don't damage the tree and are insignificant.

[Stanley]

The tree outside Barlic Bites fruits every year but this year there are more than usual. I think shedding immature fruit is quite common especially when there has been a good blossom set. The road is covered with small walnuts....

[David Whipp]

I don't know what the latest trees are that are showing huge amounts of white blossom. This one is on the Rainhall Road car park.

[Wendyf]

Probably philadelphus or mock orange, does it have a wonderful scent?

[David Whipp]

Thanks. Don't know about the smell Wendy - my nose is next to useless...

[David Whipp]

My first sight of blossom this year; on Skipton Road near Mason's Way.

[Stanley]

And met by that bloody East wind!