MEDLAR TREES

Evening Star, Issue 22578, 20 February 1937, Page 23

MEDLAR TREES

Medlar trees, Avith their curious fruits, are seldom seen noAvadays, but a specimen or two should be in every orchard, if only for the beautiful, large Avhite flowers which appear in late May and in June (says ‘ Popular Gardening,’ London). The ripe fruits are valuable for dessert and for making a very pleasing jelly. The trees produce gnarled, tAvisted branches not unlike those of dwarfed Japanese trees. Medlars thrive in any good garden soil which is Avell drained, and in, an open, sunny position Trees may be grown in bush, standard, or pyramid form; standards are planted 20ft apart and pyramids about 10ft aAvay from each other. If given the same treatment as apples (pruning young trees until they are well shaped) little further pruning will be needed beyond the removal of misplaced branches. The fruits should be left on the trees until November is well advanced, and exposed to one or two frosts before being gathered. Pick when dry and place them in a single layer, with the “eyes” downwards; a shelf of a cool room or cellar is a suitable store. In tAvo to three Aveeks the hard flesh will become soft, and the fruits will remain eatable for a few Aveeks afterwards, For making jelly, the fruits should be thoroughly ripened, but must be used before they become too soft. The best varieties are the Dutch. Avhich bear fruits 2in in diameter, and Nottingham, a good flavoured early variety Avhich crops heavily. Medlars are grafted on quince for pyramids, and on pear Avhen standard trees are required. They can also be budded or grafted on whitethorn. Trees come into bearing earlv after they have been shaped and allowed to grow naturally. Medlars in pyramid form are suitable for the shrubbery for the flowers are attractive and the leaves assume a beautiful golden tint in autumn.