Missing fruit trees

[amandakm]

my husband has been allocated an allotment on the herries road site, we know the site well and this plot had two good fruit trees, a plum and an apple, both of which were full of fruit this year. Well we went down to inspect about a two weeks ago when we got the offer of allotment letter and the trees have been dug up. I know there were some overnight break ins in last few weeks and gates were broken etc but whoever took the trees was a gardener as at this time of year the novice probably wouldn't have known they were fruit trees.

 

In the grand scheme of things a couple of missing fruit trees are nothing but i have always had faith in the basic 'goodness' of gardeners, in my head they go along with animal lovers amongst others. So if in a mad moment you took fruit trees from plot twenty just pop them back over the new gate, we won't hold it against you. Many thanks

[mc55]

could it have been the previous plot holder ? I'd probably take quite a few things if I gave up my plot

[amandakm]

slight possibility, but plots been abandoned for ages and the gate was smashed in, oh well never mind, its a good plot so not really complaining,

[jimms]

I believe part of the Allotment Act (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/12-13/51) says holders are due compensation from the landlord for any permanent plants (trees, rhubarb etc) that were planted on the site during their tenancy, unless otherwise agreed. To avoid this compensation the current Sheffield tenancy agreements ask tenants to remove permanent plants when leaving to plot and, "for the purposes of this part of the act", not even plant them in the first place. Could be something to do with this?

 

I know the previous tenants on my plot (although leaving the majority of the plot derelict) came to remove a patch of rhubarb before I got there. They left the raspberry canes though!

[amandakm]

I see, well as i said its a good plot, just got to sort out the twenty foot tall eucalyptus tree now, they could have taken that with them!!

[Chez2]

I see, well as i said its a good plot, just got to sort out the twenty foot tall eucalyptus tree now, they could have taken that with them!!

 

Pollard it. Not all Eucalyptus can stand this treatment though. Chop it down to its trunk about early May. Eucalyptus are good for getting rid of midges etc near water/boggy areas. They were planted in Greece to do just this!

[amandakm]

not quite sure what we shall do with this tree, i quite like it, makes fabulous sound when its windy and the birds use it as a stopping off point as they fly across the gardens, theres a tangle of hedge etc under it which seemed to be full of birds last summer, its a bit of a focul point, not sure what allotment office will do, if anything, will just wait and see. Spent a lovely windy day there today clearing weeds etc, love it, think i am strange.