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My cherry & apple trees are ill!

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Binty | 11:02 Thu 07th Sep 2006 | Home & Garden
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I planted a cherry and an eating apple tree in my London garden in the spring. They both seemed to thrive for a while but although I had blossom on the cherry tree, I only got 4 cherries, which all fell off. I have a few apples which are looking good, but the leaves on both trees are now looking sickly - some are falling off and they both have weird marks on them like a tiny worm has been burrowing in the leaf. I tried spraying them with an organic pest spray but it hasn't worked. I can't actually see any creatures on them but I'm worried they might die. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what it is and how to stop it? Many thanks!
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There may be several reasons, the trees are quite young so they need a lot of water, London Clay soil will not help, did you, when planting dig a large enough hole and fill with a good compost before planting, if not you can scrape away some soil and dig in some good soil, compost or a good feed. A very good gardening book 'Be your own Expert' which has verious books under this title, fruit, shrubs, houseplants etc. with a section with pictures on whatever is attacking the leaves, excellent book and not expensive. Each year in winter spray both trees with a tar wash, from any garden centre, this will protect the trees from next years infestation or creepie crawlies!!! for the time being try to give a good water 'used' water is ok in the first years trees need a good start. Dont despair we have had a very hot time recently, which is made worse in a city.
Isn't it likely to be some thing to do with cross pollination?
Sounds just like mine which were also only planted this spring. When my gardening expert friend came to investigate he concluded lack of water/too much wind and not planted firmly enough ie when he pulled at them they rocked about in the ground but only a bit. We stamped and trampled and chucked more soil round their bases to firm them up. I have watered them considerably and given them stakes for support and i have to admit they are looking happier but the proof will be next year if i get more cherries, apples and pears. Also as scuzzball says make sure they have a pollinator which i did when i purchased mine
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Thanks to you all for your advice, I think I'll get that book Portobello. If it's lack of water that's the problem (and I've been watering them regularly) why are there worm-like marks on some of the leaves? Someone told me it may be due to a 'leaf miner' insect but I'm no wiser to how to stop them if it is! They're both self-fertilising trees, so I don't have to worry about pollination. It's the pests I'm concerned about....

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