My cherry & apple trees are ill!

[Binty]

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!

[Portobello]

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.

[scuzzball]

Isn't it likely to be some thing to do with cross pollination?

[janetsflower]

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

[Binty]

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....