Training trees and summer pruning

[nickdub]

Looked over some cherry trees in the poly-tunnel this morning and did a little judicious fettling to them.

I nicked and notched one new tree to encourage the newly forming branches to even up, and also did some bending down on one of the other trees.

I don't do espalier or fan training so I can't claim to be an expert, but for those who are trying to do anything along those lines as soon as growth starts you can make progress with your plans.

It used to be said that most people pruned their old trees too much and their young ones too little - and I think that's still true today.

[monkeyboy]

I want to trim my cherry tree although I think I've fallen well behind. I was planning to do it October last year but it was either constantly damp (soggy wet ground), or I was busy with other stuff. As a result, some of the branches are very high and I won't be able to get the fruit.

[nickdub]

I want to trim my cherry tree although I think I've fallen well behind. I was planning to do it October last year but it was either constantly damp (soggy wet ground), or I was busy with other stuff. As a result, some of the branches are very high and I won't be able to get the fruit.

Would it be possible to pass some string or rope over the high branches and bend them down by tying to the ground ?

[jdlondon]

we did that - rope pulled the cherry tree down and the kid held that, while my sis held it down where the trunk was thicker, and then I climbed up to saw the tops off!

worked and then the tree just shot up again. determined tree!

[nickdub]

we did that - rope pulled the cherry tree down and the kid held that, while my sis held it down where the trunk was thicker, and then I climbed up to saw the tops off!

worked and then the tree just shot up again. determined tree!

Best to leave the sawing off bit out - just encourages more growth, but by the sound of it the tree is on too strong growing a root-stock for how big you want it to be.

[jdlondon]

I thought lopping off the tops would make it concentrate on going bushy rather than shooting up? No?

There is so much to know!

I wanted to train the pear and plum along the wall but my dad doesn't want to put holes in the house, so foiled.

[nickdub]

Nope cutting the top out is more likely to encourage the tree to try to form more growth to replace it - bending the higher branches down ( let the extreme tips point up a little if possible) cuts down on extension growth and diverts more of the tree's energy into fruit bud formation. Try googling "festooning" for images etc.

[unclefudgly]

I think it depends at what time of year you do the chopping.