We have now entered our growing season and have a limited online range for delivery now. Our new season begins from July 2025 with our full range and some exciting new varieties!

The Art of Trained Fruit Trees – Pruning Course

03/06/2025

The Art of Trained Fruit Trees: A Tradition Perfected by Frank P Matthews – Pruning Course

Trained Trees – Pruning Course

For centuries, trained fruit trees have been a staple in formal gardens and small spaces, blending function with artistry. These carefully sculpted trees not only yield delicious fruit but also create stunning architectural features in gardens of all sizes. At Frank P Matthews Trees, we have dedicated many years to perfecting the craft of trained fruit trees, ensuring they remain both practical and beautiful.

Learn the Craft: Join Our Pruning Course

To help gardeners and enthusiasts master the care of trained fruit trees, Sophie Lewis will be leading our Trained Tree Pruning Course on 5th July 2025. This hands-on session will teach essential pruning techniques, ensuring your trees remain healthy, productive, and visually stunning year after year. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, this course will give you the confidence to shape and maintain your trees with ease.

Meet Our Expert: Sophie Lewis

Leading our expertise in trained fruit trees is Sophie Lewis, our Plant Manager and trained tree specialist. With formal horticultural training and extensive hands-on experience, Sophie has honed her skills at some of the most renowned gardens, including The Newt in Somerset. Her passion for tree training, combined with her knowledge of pruning techniques, ensures that our specimens are grown and maintained to the highest standards.

Sophie also stays at the forefront of industry advancements, regularly sharing insights and techniques with a network of European trained tree specialists who oversee some of the most prestigious gardens across the continent. Her commitment to continuous learning and innovation makes her an invaluable part of the Frank P Matthews Trees team.

Why Choose Trained Trees for Your Garden?

Space is often a limiting factor for gardeners, but trained trees offer a smart solution. Whether you have a small allotment or a large walled garden, these trees maximize vertical space, making them ideal for walls, fences, and pathways. Not only do they produce an abundance of fruit, but they also add structure and elegance to your outdoor space.

Their versatility extends beyond their aesthetic appeal. Trained trees are easier to maintain, more accessible for harvesting, and can improve airflow around the branches, reducing disease risks. Plus, they bring a touch of history to your garden, echoing the traditional techniques seen in historic orchards and grand European gardens.

The Different Forms of Trained Trees

At Frank P Matthews Trees, we cultivate many varieties of fruit trees in a range of stunning forms, each suited to different needs and spaces:

Espalier – Trees trained in horizontal tiers against a wall or trellis, perfect for maximizing fruit yield in small spaces.

Fan – Shaped into a broad fan, ideal for peaches, plums, and cherries, allowing for optimal sun exposure.

Step-over – A low-growing tree trained to grow horizontally, often used as a decorative border along pathways and garden beds.

Candelabra – A striking, upright form with multiple vertical stems, making an elegant statement in any garden.

Acuré le Page – A highly intricate and sculptural form, designed for those who appreciate a more artistic garden feature.

These stunning forms were proudly showcased at our Award Winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show display this year, where visitors admired their beauty, practicality, and historic charm.

A Legacy of Excellence

Since 1901, Frank P Matthews Trees has been a leading name in fruit tree cultivation. Now in our fourth generation, we continue to supply garden centres, nurseries, and passionate growers across the UK with the highest-quality trees. Our commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability ensures that trained trees remain a timeless feature in British gardens.

Discover more about our exquisite, trained fruit trees and book your place on our upcoming pruning course by contacting us.

Email: treeshop@fpmatthews.co.uk

or

Phone: 01584 812800