Fruitful summer for 'peachy keen' Limavady grower

Carol Clyde from Mount Eden bought a number of 'slips' of trees from a local enthusiasts nine years ago and had always believed them to be cherry trees.

However this summer she spotted fruit beginning to grow and after investigation found out she was the owner of a peach tree.

It is highly unusual for such a tree to grow outdoors in Northern Ireland's normally-chilly climate.

"I bought a few trees about nine years ago as slips from a wee man who just used to set up a stall at the side of the street in Limavady," she said.

"They always bloomed like a cherry blossom tree but I never knew exactly what they were, I bought them as a feature to brighten up the garden but I wasn't to bothered about what type of trees they were.

"I went away on holiday earlier this year and when I came back I noticed that there were little fruits starting to appear. The longer time went on, the more they looked like peaches.

"I got a few gardeners to come and have a look and they agreed. Then finally we thought there was only one way to find out - I ate one!

"They are definitely peaches, this is definitely a peach tree and there have been hundreds of them.

"We have been told that it is very unusual - normally in this country peach trees would only be small and only able to grow in greenhouses but this is a great big tall tree in my garden and it is laden with them.

"It's a lovely surprise and so strange that I should have this tree for nine years and then suddenly decide to bear fruit.

"We've been having peaches with everything as it would be a shame to let them spoil, we've been giving them to friends and family, the biggest problem is trying to keep the local kids away!"