Trained Tree Forms
Trained fruit trees and bushes are an ideal choice for small gardens as they make it possible to grow a variety of fruits in a restricted space. They are usually formed by the careful pruning and training of maiden plants that have been grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks. The majority of restricted forms need a system of support wires, either secured to free-standing posts or against a wall or fence. Wall-trained forms are particular useful for fruits such as peaches, as they will also benefit from the reflected heat of the wall.
The following table shows a summary of the different trained and restricted forms that may be used for a wide variety of fruits:
| Fruit | Suitable Form |
|---|---|
| Apple | Bush, Cordon, Espalier, Fan, Pyramid, Stepover |
| Apricot | Bush, Fan, Pyramid |
| Bullace | Bush, Fan, Pyramid |
| Cherry | Bush, Fan |
| Cherry Plum | Bush, Fan, Pyramid |
| Damson | Bush, Fan, Pyramid |
| Medlar | Bush, Cordon, Espalier |
| Nectarine | Bush, Fan, Pyramid |
| Peach | Bush, Fan, Pyramid |
| Pear | Bush, Cordon, Espalier, Fan, Pyramid, Stepover |
| Plum | Bush, Fan, Pyramid, Stepover |
| Quince | Bush, Cordon, Espalier, Pyramid |
Cordon
A cordon is a single restricted stem, trained against a wall, fence, or grown on wires. Its 1.5-2 m (5-6 ft) stem has a large number of fruiting spurs, and is designed to produce a high yield in a small area. This style is particularly useful for small gardens, or for planting along fences, and is most commonly used for apples and pears. However, it can also be used for gooseberries and for red- and whitecurrants.
Cordons require a set of supporting horizontal wires up to a height of about 1.8 m (6 ft) and must be pruned during the summer to maintain their form. The stem is usually trained at an angle of 45-60° to the ground, but may also be grown horizontally or as a columnar vertical cordon referred to as a 'minaret'. Double (or 'U'), triple or multiple cordons may be formed by pruning a maiden plant so that it forms two or more parallel stems; these are almost always trained vertically. Read on for cordon training tips ...
Espalier
Espalier trees consist of a vertical stem with matching pairs of horizontal branches extending out from either side at intervals of approximately 18 inches (45 cm). These branches bear short spurs on which fruit is produced. The branches are trained along a system of supporting horizontal wires, and need appropriate summer pruning to maintain and develop the form. This style is particularly suitable for apples and pears and is very useful as a decorative feature on walls and fences. Find out how to train an espalier ...
Fan
Fans are trained so that their main branches radiate out from the top of a short 24 cm (10 in) trunk, forming a fan shape. Their 5-12 branches are secured to a set of horizontal wires for support and should be pruned over the summer to maintain and develop their shape. This style is particularly suitable for growing tree fruits such as plums, peaches, apricots and cherries against a wall or fence and can add a decorative element to any garden. For a step-by-step guide to training a fan, read on ...
Pyramid
The pyramid is a free-standing form, consisting of a central trunk from which branches radiate out to form a conical shape. They may be grown on dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstocks to produce trees of up to 3 m (10 ft) in height, or dwarf pyramids may be created using a very-dwarfing rootstock; these will grow to a maximum height of only 1.8 m (6 ft).
Step-Over
A step-over is a low growing, free-standing tree for edging borders and paths. They grown using a very-dwarfing rootstock with a single horizontal branch 45-60 cm (18-24 in) above the ground, and are typically used to grow apples, pears and plums.
