Training Unsuitable Trees

[Rhona]

If, for reasons I won't bore you with, you found yourself with three standard 2 year old fruit trees, instead of the dwarf root stock ones you needed ; would you just plant them as 'normal' trees (we have a little orchard at the end of our lottie that could house them) OR would you try to train them anyway?

The trees are a Victoria Plum, Stella Cherry, and an Egremont Russet apple. I'm not bothered about a formal espalier - we'd probably go for a wired fan shape, if anything. Our lovely neighbour is convinced we'd be wasting our time, and thinks we should just plant them elsewhere as the growth would be too vigorous and fruit production affected.

I don't have any experience of training fruit trees, just growing them - it was a new project. Any advice? Bear in mind that we're not going to be terribly bothered if it's an imperfect result.

[FB.]

What are the rootstocks?

[gojiberry]

Can't answer your question at present time but may be able to in a few years time. I have purchased 10 fruit trees in the last six months and I have no idea of any of their rootstocks, Six are being grown in containers and the other four will be trained as esplier. Don't know if it will work or not. The one I am most worried about is a merryweather damson which will be in a container and it is already showing signs of being a very large tree.

Ian

[Rhona]

Thanks chaps. The cherry is semi-vigorous colt; and the plum is semi-dwarf rootstock. The apple doesn't state. Just says suitable 'for the average garden.'

[FB.]

"Suitable for the average garden" usually implies a rootstock of medium vigour, such as M26 or MM106. Since most "average" gardens would be dominated by a full size apple tree, rootstocks such as MM111 and M25 are unlikely to be used.
The M26 and MM106 rootstocks are quite versatile and can be restrained in size and are suitable for training.
M26 is often used for cordons on an average soil and MM106 would be used for espaliers/fans on average soil, or cordons on poor soil or for a small-medium tree (about 9-10ft) on average soil.

They should be able to be trained, but if the trunks are already quite thick and if there aren't many low branches, you may struggle to get a good shape.

[Rhona]

Great stuff. Can I trouble you further to take a look at the 'photo taken today. From what you say, it might be worth a go, and I don't think the trunks look particularly thick.

We're not terribly bothered about the shape to be honest, but we concerned about fruit production. Do you think that will be unaffected than?

Thanks again.

[FB.]

Hmmm

It would be better to leave them as bushes, but while they're still young, there is potential.
Is theye any reason why you can't grow them as a flat bush against a wall? Good pruning would achieve that.
The lower branches have been removed before you got teh tree, so it'll be difficult to persuade them to form branches lower than they already have.

A few things might work to turn them into fan/espalier:

This growing season, you could try tying-down or weighing-down the branches, to get a flatter shape.
Next winter, you could cut-out upright growth, which would increase their spreading tendency. Remember to leave a little bit of the central "leader" to allow more tiers to develop higher up the tree.
You could also partially cut-back any branches that don't want to bend, since they will re-sprout and the soft green shoots will allow better training.

Remember that fans and espaliers take several years to form the shape; they're not an instant result. Besides; good and regular/annual pruning is essential for espaliers or fans.

[Rhona]

I'll think on everything you've said. We might go for a flat bush against the wall, or we might plant them at the lottie and start again with suitable trees.

I appreciate the advice anyway - thanks.