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Wasps love feeding on soft, juicy fruit. They can break through the skins of grapes, peaches and plums, and quickly nibble out sizeable cavities, but fruit with tougher skins such as apples and pears must first be broken open by pecking birds before

Apple sooty blotch is caused by an overwintering fungus, which is typically found on trees or branches growing in shade and damp. It creates a splatter of dark, sooty spots all over the skin of the fruit, although the flesh isn't affected at all

be affected. The spores are transmitted three ways: via insects, when infected fruit touches other fruits, and by wind and rain.Tree fruit becomes inedible and rather unsightly when a small brown spot gradually encompasses the whole apple, pear or plum

Bacterial canker affects ornamental and edible Prunus species, including cherries, plums and apricots. Monty demonstrates effective techniques for pruning out infected stems, in his practical video guide.spring-summerMore problem-solving advice

Plum trees can be prone to silver leaf disease if pruned in winter, so cut them back in summer to encourage the development of bushy growth, which stops them becoming too large and unmanageable. Plum treeSecateurs June - July 20 minutesUse secateurs

is the ideal time to plant bare-rooted trees and there are few simple ways to give them the best start. Tree, tree tieCane, stringSpade, forkWooden stakeHammer, sawCompost, granular fertiliser, well-rotted manureMulch or bark chippingsNovember - February1 hour