Benefits of Trained Trees

Trained trees can be beneficial in many ways including as an ornamental feature, making an attractive and impressive addition to any garden. Most forms are designed to be grown against a fence or wall, so can be accommodated in smaller gardens. They can also be used to create a screen. Below are just a few examples of the benefits of trained trees.

~ Growing against a wall can help enhance an otherwise bare feature and wont harm the building unlike many climbing plants.

~ Trained fruit trees are much easier to harvest and maintain

~ If growing fruit that require warmer climates, growing against a south facing wall will create a micro-climate.

~ It is much easier to protect against frost and birds.

~ Allows better light promoting fruit production and air circulation, which reduces leaf and fruit diseases.

All our trained fruit trees for sale are grown in 12L containers. Forms that require more disciplined pruning, such as espaliers, cordons
and step-overs, are produced with apples and pears that are more spur-bearing and respond well to hard pruning. Stone fruit, such
as plums, gages, apricots and peaches, prefer a lighter touch so these are only trained as fans.

Fan trained fruit trees

We grow our fans on semi-vigorous rootstocks: MM106 (Apples), Quince A (Pears), Colt (Cherries), St.Julian A and Wavit (Apricots, Damsons, Gages, Nectarines, Peaches, Plums).

Specification
Pre trained in the field or container for two year’s followed by a third year as a container grown complete with an ‘A’ frame cane support. Reasonably symmetrical in shape, fans will have a minimum of 5 shoots. Minimum height and width 1m x 1m.

For more information on fan trained trees click here.

Trained Fruit 2

Espalier fruit trees

We grow our espaliers on semi-vigorous rootstocks: MM106 (Apples), Quince A (Pears).

Specification

Pre trained in the field or container for two year’s followed by a third year as a container grown complete with an ‘A’ frame cane support. Reasonably symmetrical in shape, espalier a minimum of 2 tiers with a central leader. Minimum height and width 1m x 1m.

For more information on espalier trees click here.

Step-over fruit trees

We grow our step-overs on dwarf rootstocks: M27 (Apples), Quince Eline® (Pears).

Specification
(Apples and Pears only). Horizontal supported cane framework and a single tier at 0.45m x 0.50m high x 0.9m wide.

For more information on step-over trees click here.

Trained Fruit 6

Cordon Fruit Trees

We grow our cordons on semi-dwarf rootstocks: M9 (Apples), Quince Eline® (Pears).

Specification
Grown in the field as a 2 year tree followed by a final year as container grown. This growing cycle involves 4 – 6 pruning operations to develop short spur bearing branches from 0.4m upwards, with a dominant central leader. Minimum height 1.4m.

Trained Fruit 5

Family fruit trees

We grow Apple and Pear family trees, both are grown on semi-vigorous rootstocks: MM106 (Apples), Quince A (Pears). Three varieties are selected that cross-pollinate well and offer a delicious choice of fruit.

To see our Family Apple trees click here.

To see our Family Pear trees click here.