[marcofez]

I have just planted out 5 fruit trees. 2 apples, 1 pear, 1 plum, 1 cherry. I would like to know what underplanting everyone would recomend if any, while the trees become established. They are on dwarf rootstock. Thanks   

[sunshineband]

I think it would be best to leave agood clear area around the trunks of your trees until they are well established --- a metre wide circle mulched with bark for example.

This saves hem having to compete with other plants for water and nutrients.

What kind of planting did you have in mind? Bulbs? Lavender? Other fruit? Veg?

[savbo]

I'm not personally an advocate but Forest Garden ideas include underplanting of shrubs and ground level plants...worth googling to see if you're convinced by the arguments

[Kleftiwallah]

Grape Hiascinths look nice in the spring and die down before the tree starts looking for nutrients in the soil in late spring.     Cheers,     Tony.

[Spana]

I've got  snowdrops under a lot of mine

[Trillium]

Remember that fruit trees will be picked, so you don't want something you'll regret trampling or not be able to access. I have scillas, muscari and tulips under mine, which are down by the time the trees start leafing and need all the nutrients and moisture, then they get a good mulch against weeds and dryness (since my summers are quite dry).

[shoozie]

Snowdrops and daffodils here

[Totty]

Cyclamens thrive under the shade of trees and are lovelly, and will spread out gradually to fill the shaded area of the tree. The two work in harmony in the wild so cannot see a negative.