[Kleftiwallah]

I have a espalier Stella cherry in bud.  Cannot wait to see if they are flower buds or leaf buds,  which comes first?  when do I start 'doing something about damage to these buds by birds or frost?

Cheers and thanks in anticipation (of your answer and the cherries!)  Cheers,  Tony.

[sunshineband]

Cherry flower buds are round and often form a crown at the end of branches, whilst leaf buds are pointy.

Hope that helps with ID

[Kleftiwallah]

Thanks for that descriptive reply sunshineband.  Cheers,  Tony.

[Trikidiki]

Have a look at the top end of some one year old shoots, they are most likely going to be leaf buds then compare.

Net at any time for birds, we had bullfinches picking at apples in the garden in January. Or fleece for frost as the buds break, they shouldn't be harmed by frost until the flowers open.

I have just grafted some cherries so will have this fun in a couple of years.

[3759allen]

a bit off topic but the weather forecast is not looking good for frost and fruit tree's.

i haven't got and fleece big enough so mine will have to tough it out, just hope the frost doesn't do too much damage.

[Kleftiwallah]

Thanks for the prompt. low temp's forecast for Saturday night Sunday morning.  Teased the fleece over the cherry tree held in place with lumps of lead!

There's a film title in there somewhere!  Cheers,  Tony.

[Trikidiki]

I was thinking it might be worth approaching the problem from a different angle. I wondered if a couple of tealights under flowerpots or Trex candles below the tree would create enough air movement to stop a frost falling on the tree.

[Kleftiwallah]

Never having tried toasted cherry blossom...you never know, it may catch on.
 Some trendy T.V. chef may give it a try.

Cheers,  Tony.

[Trikidiki]

Not as daft as it first sounds.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-3087453/Wine-makers-Hampshire-vineyard-light-750-candles-MIDNIGHT-protect-vines-frost.html

This place is only about 15 miles from me, I might take a drive up there one frosty night.

I knew they used to light bonfires in Italian vineyards if a frost was forecast.

[sunshineband]

Thanks for the prompt. low temp's forecast for Saturday night Sunday morning.  Teased the fleece over the cherry tree held in place with lumps of lead!

There's a film title in there somewhere!  Cheers,  Tony.

I'd go to see that film alright!!

If your cherries are still in bud, they will be fine in the cold. In fact, they relish it and need many hours of low temperatures to allow the fruiting buds to develop properly, so no worries there.