Various Forms Of Training Fruit Trees

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31409, 30 June 1967, Page 6

Various Forms Of Training Fruit Trees

Considerable ingenuity can be exercised in the pruning and training of fruit trees, a feature more commonly found in the gardens of European countries than in the Southern Hemisphere. Basically they are all derivatives of certain standard training systems as outlined here, and do not all lend themselves to every type of fruit commonly grown. The intention to train a tree in a particular way will also influence the choice of rootstocks where applicable. Although some advice on this aspect is given in the following notes it will pay to consult your local stockist, if in doubt, when making purchases for this purpose. No Longer Popular At one time standards were a great favourite in all gardens but this method of training a tree on a fift-long stem before allowing the development of leaders and laterals has declined greatly and it is doubtful whether it would be possible to obtain a tree based on this system unless a specific advance order were made. Of course, it could always be self trained from a one-year-old unbranched whip. Half standards and bush trees are the most commonly grown form seen in our gardens today. The half standard has a 3ft trunk from which arises the main framework. This form can make a suitable tree for the average property. Citrus, apples, pears, cherries, plums, apricots, peaches, quince and nectarine-can be grown in this way. The bush tree has the advantage of facilitating easy management. Branching may take place from near ground level and is suited to most, if not all, of the previously mentioned kinds of fruits, preferably on less vigorous stocks. The cordon is probably the method of training best suited to the home garden when

space is at a premium and also where pruning is always contemplated with misgivings. This allows the growing of varieties of good quality, enables quick and easy cultural attention, and can even be used as an attractive subdivision between parts of the garden. Cordon and Espaliers A cordon has a vertical or oblique stem with a framework of branches which have been converted to a spaced network of short leaf stems and fruit spurs. In its simplest form a cordon consists of one main stem only, but by special training double or even treble this number can be formed. All trees which produce fruiting spurs are suited to this method, i.e. apples and pears, but top fruit sueh as gooseberries and red currants also lend themselves admirably to the system.

The Espallier could perhaps be described rather loosely as a horizontal cordon. It consists of a central stem with lateral branches growing at right angles, more or less opposite each other from the main stem. Spaced at regular intervals along the horizontal branches are fruit spurs. The number of horizontal branches varies with the amount of space available, but the top tier could be well formed 6ft from ground level. This method of training is most suited to walls, trellises and high fences for which apples and pears are preeminently suitable. More skill is needed in espallier training and pruning than is required for cordons. Wall-grown Peas

A modification of the espallier system is the so-called grid iron. This incorporates a short main stem from which two horizontal branches are trained in opposite directions. At intervals of about 18in along these horizontals, vertival shoots are allowed to

develop from which short m side branches are formed and'l pruned in a similar way to i cordons. j. The fan shaped tree is best ' suited to the culture of wall- , grown apples, pears, plums, apricots, peaches, nectarines and figs. From a short main ' stem a main framework is ' trained in a fan shaped pat- , tern all on one plant 1 The central leader or pyra- i mid tree comprises a single ■ main stem from which i branches radiate at intervals i in diminishing length. This form of tree has the advan- I tage over other unsupported i types of having a stronger | framework, in spite of an ap- < pearance to the contrary. It 1 allows easier acccess for all i jobs, besides providing for 1

earlier cropping induced by Its open construction and more horizontal growths. Apples and pears are the only fruits suited to this method which is being tried widely on a commercial basis. There are many derivations of the above methods and undoubtedly numerous innovations employed by many growers. Many books exist on the subject and some methods will, in time, be further detailed on this page. But the choice of form is now yours. Be guided by experience, garden size and the amount of attention you are willing to give to your fruiting subjects. Considerable enjoyment can be had from skilful manipulation of wood and secateurs—that is my only guarantee.