Brits have been warned that the fruit trees in their gardens could cost them hundreds of pounds. Neglecting one simple job can lead to a “myriad of garden-related issues”, according to experts at MyBuilder.com, an online platform that matches homeowners with vetted tradespeople for home repairs and improvements.
Millions of homes across the UK have fruit trees in their gardens. While some of the issues caused by fallen fruit are simply annoying, others could cause serious issues that require professional intervention. These can be easily avoided by the swift collection and removal of fruit. In hot weather, fallen fruit can begin to rot within hours, attracting wasps and other pests. Expert gardener from MyBuilder.com, James Lewis, said it’s essential to collect and remove fallen fruit as swiftly as possible.
He said: “Gardens can be a lot of work in summer when plants and lawns are growing fast and you’re watering often. So it’s understandable that people may neglect to collect fallen fruit when it seems like an unnecessary job. However, it’s actually vital to remove rotting fruits. They can attract not only wasps and hornets, but also rats.
“This could lead to having pest control in – not a cheap job. It can also lead to plants self-seeding, and saplings can spring up all over your lawn. So don’t neglect this job – pick up daily if you can and dispose of your fruit if you can’t make use of it.”
Problems caused by leaving fruits to rot include:
Attracting pests
Insects love fresh and newly rotting fruit, which could lead to stings or bites. However, the bigger problem is vermin such as rats. A rat infestation can be costly, with prices for pest removal starting at £100, and often can be much more should they prove tricky to eradicate.
Diseases
Fallen fruit left to rot is a breeding ground for many bacteria and fungi, which can then spread to the tree itself and neighbouring healthy plants. If your tree becomes diseased and needs removal, the costs can be more than £200.
Weed growth
If fallen fruit is not removed, weeds can grow around fruit trees as the soil receives more rich organic matter. Removing weeds can be done yourself, but once they are established in an area, it tends to become an ongoing job.
Ruin your lawn
Fallen fruit blocks sunlight and air from reaching the grass and flattens the blades, damaging or even killing your grass after two days. The cost of reviving a lawn can be significant, and re-turfing may be necessary.
Plant spread for certain trees
Leaving fruit on your lawn can quickly spread the seeds until your whole garden is full of fruit tree saplings. Species such as apple trees can spread rapidly.