Festooning!

[smallblueplanet]

Whilst googling (I blame LJ!) for currants & raspberries I came across a way of keeping small (rootstock-wise) plum trees small in height. A technique called festooning which involves tieing down the trees branches to make a kind of 'weeping-shaped' tree.

Has anyone done this or any info on the best way to do it?

[Mrs Dobby]

There was a bit of info about this in the recently repeated Victorian Kitchen Garden, looked very interesting, but I cant remember exactly what was used, apart from the fact that the ties were tied to a circular metal rod which was placed in the ground surrounding the tree. I'm sure someone with a better memory or the DVD will be able to give a bit more info!

[Snadger]

I believe these days you can just use clip on weights (looks like a weight on a clothes peg!)

[Earthbabe]

I saw something in a prog recently. Looks lovely. Very pretty in bloom I remember.

[smallblueplanet]

And do you remember anything but how pretty it looked?

Although that is very encouraging!

[JennieAtkinson]

Even I remember seeing it on a programme recently, but which one? Perhaps if we all have a brainstorm ........ ? Seriously, I remember thinking that the old way was quite laborious, but the new pegs system looked very ingenious and something quite easily achieved.

It must have been the Victorian Kitchen Garden.

[pigletwillie]

I have done it to a plum tree. I have just tied a string to the end of the branch and than tied this to the trees post after pulling the branch down. It causes much better bud break and fruiting spurs and reduces the growing vigour of the tree as a bonus.

[smallblueplanet]

Oh I just knew either pw or supersprout would have 'the knowledge'! Got any piccies pw?

Do you mean tie the branches to the tree's stake? What did you tie them with? Geoff Hamilton suggests tieing the branches to its trunk with soft string in summer?

ps what is 'bud break and fruiting spurs'

[pigletwillie]

I will post some up in the next few days SBP, I did it just like Geof Hamilton with soft string as the weighs let the branches waft about a bit too much for my liking.

Bud break is where you get literally buds bursting into growth and fruiting spurs are very short branches that have the fruit on. By having the branches festooned it makes the tree produce more spurs which therefore produce more fruit.

[smallblueplanet]

Forgot to ask when you festooned pw, oh and a sly reminder for some piccies?

[pigletwillie]

Just before Christmas SBP but you can do it now. I will get some piccies in the week as the camera was kindly left at the dragon in laws by my good wifey.

[smallblueplanet]

Many thanks to you pw.

[Poledragon]

I'll be watching this thread with interest, and look forward to the pictures. I've got a plum tree that needs restraining. Does it work with apple trees too?

[pigletwillie]

indeed Poledragon, it does.

[pigletwillie]

SBP, a picture of my 4yo Victoria plum festooned as promised.