Fruit Trees Growing On Our Streets. Birds And Bees Encouraged.

[ladybirder]

Every house to have access to a fruit tree. Two million trees could be planted on the streets of towns and cities under Boris Johnson's plan to brighten up Britain. New houses should be fitted with special bricks to encourage birds and bees to settle in urban areas.
I think this will be brilliant. What do you think?

https://twnews.co.uk/uk-news/two-million-fruit-trees-could-be-planted-across-the-uk

[Zacs-Master]

We had some mason bees in our last house. I enjoyed sharing it with them. Last summer we had swallows make a vest in the eaves which was less nice as they shat all over the bedroom windowcill and stained it.

[Zacs-Master]

nest not vest ;-)

[woofgang]

It depends on the fruit. I have fruit trees in my garden and fallen fruit will need to be dealt with or it will end up being a slippery mess underfoot and a magnet for wasps. I lioke the idea of the bird and bee bricks. Is there a link to what these are and where they can be bought?

[237SJ]

Yesterday I was talking to the man in my corner shop who was held up at gunpoint the other day. First he had a really long knife pulled on him and then a gun. He was one of 6 people who was robbed that day. The police turned up after one hour! I think Boris Johnson should worry about other things before he turns to fruit trees.

[dannyk13]

Yes, a good idea and useful in fighting climate change.

[woofgang]

237sj, one doesn't rule out the other!

[237SJ]

I know that. But its a question of priorities.

[dannyk13]

237j //I think Boris Johnson should worry about other things before he turns to fruit trees.//
That does not mean that this is not a good idea.He is not confined to only dealing with one problem at a time.

[Chipchopper]

Yes, I think its a wonderful idea, providing that there is a program of after care the is adhered to, such as watering etc and replacement of dead trees

[Mamyalynne]

Some Bee bricks here.

https://www.nhbs.com/bee-brick

[237SJ]

I was in Sorrento last May and the lemon trees in the streets were lovely. I'm not sure how well the Councils will maintain fruit trees on the streets in this country. Our Council decided to plant 4 crab apple trees here. They look lovely when in blossom but then the area becomes a slippery slushy mess of fallen crab apples for months. It wasn't one of their better ideas.

[237SJ]

There would be a lot more bees if people were encouraged to stop paving over their gardens and forecourts so that they have more space to park their multiple vehicles. That would help.

[Mamyalynne]

I agree that on pavements care must be taken in regard to fallen fruit etc.

Mainly lovely ideas however.

[woofgang]

wow mamya 27 quid for 1 brick! I could buy a masonry drill and drill my own!

[ladybirder]

I think fruit trees and birds and bees in them will cheer us all up. Might even cheer up our knife and gun wielding criminals and make them less likely to go around attacking people;-))
I'd like to think people would eat the fruit rather than let it rot on the ground but I wouldn't eat a crab apple.
Mamya £26.99 EACH??? Blimey.

[diddlydo]

Yet another of Boris's diversion tactics to deflect attention from the almighty shambles that Brexit will prove to be.

[woofgang]

237sj. The problem with many front gardens is that they are just not suitable for growing much on. My own front was either a bog or an expanse of dried clay. I block paved over most of it and left a broad flower border near the house which is well used by birds and insects even at this time of year. Again its not either or...space can be left for tubs or borders left and good use made of the rest....btw I have only the one car.

[Mamyalynne]

Don't shoot the hod carrier ;-)

I think the plan is for the bricks to be incorporated into new builds.

Simpler and cheaper for people to plant bee attracting shrubs and add a bird box or two.

[woofgang]

lol mamya it was shock not criticism

[ladybirder]

^ Ditto.