Kitchen Garden Forum

We need a common native bird cherry (Prunus padus) to plant before the tree planting season ends in March. Does anyone know a nursery in the Skipton/Harrogate/Lancaster area that might stock one? I know we can order one from a tree nursery further away but then the carriage charge is considerably higher than the cost of the tree!

In 1992 I bought some other trees from Amos Nelson Ltd, Old Gledstone, Skipton number then 0282 842426. No idea if they still exist or if the number just needs a 1.
The same year I got Bird Cherries from Weasdale Nurseries, Newbiggin on Lune, Kirkby Stephen 05396 23246 (again old number) but that might be too far for you.
The big garden centre near Clitheroe Golf Course has quite a lot of trees but more likely to be ornamental, unfortunately I can't remember the name for you to look up a number.

Many thanks, Geoff. We had tried most of the more local nurseries, including the one at Clitheroe but never thought of Amos Nelson which we have passed in the past but never been in. As you thought, the problem is that most of them have ornamental trees and fruit trees but nothing as COMMON as an unadulterated bird cherry! We may have to get on the Weasdale Nurseries and probably pay for the carriage. It's a replacement for a large horse chestnut - which should never have been planted there - on Parish Council land!