Can I fan train this Morello Cherry tree?

[kingkano]

Hi all. First time poster

I just received my Morella Cherry tree from T&M (special offer) which I wanted to fan train against a wall. Attached is a picture of what I received - sorry if its a little dark. I didnt expect all the top branches etc and I am not sure there is proper 'buds' on the trunk lower down.

Can I still fan train this? Do I just cut the trunk back to leave a few of the little 'nubs'?

Many thanks in advance.

Ken

[rustylady]

I'm not an expert on fruit trees (or anything else for that matter), but I would plant it against your fence and start training the branches where you want them to go. Cut out any you don't need. The trunk doesn't look too tall.

[kingkano]

Actually now you've said that I just had a measure, from the soil marking to the first branches is 20" which is about right from what I've read. The next set of branches that I could use are about 9" away.

So maybe I should just prune away unwanted growth and train the existing branches to my fan shape as you say.

[Capsid]

You should start with just 2 laterals to fan train it. So cut off all the laterals except the lower two and the leader. Prune tip the two laterals (they look like they have been already). I see the leader tip is already pruned and this will encourage the laterals to make sub laterals which you can select to make the fan. Sounds drastic but the first year or two will be to train the tree and not to produce fruit.

This is my morello cherry, I've bent the laterals to the side and tied them in on to wires.

[kingkano]

Ahhhh right. I've gotten confused about where the fan branches come from!! So the arms of the fan come from the side branches, not from the main stem. Got it.

Thanks very much for the quick reply!

[Capsid]

Ahhhh right. I've gotten confused about where the fan branches come from!! So the arms of the fan come from the side branches, not from the main stem. Got it.

Thanks very much for the quick reply!

Yes, once you have good sub laterals forming you should also cut out the leader. Prune annually.

[Two_Sheds]

I think I'm going to have a go at this, Aldi have a morello for about a fiver. It can go on a shady wall, and I might get a Stella for the sunny wall