Cherry Tree Fan Training

[Shawman]

Hello,

I have planted out a Cherry tree "sunburst" on a Gisela dwarfing rootstock back in November and plan to fan train it. However, due to restraints on space I would like to fan train it at a 90 degree angle. Is this possible?
Many thanks,

[Guest]

Hi and welcome to the vine

I am feeling a bit lost on what is 90 degrees. Having branches at 90 degrees shouldn't be a major issue when part of a fan but it isn't recommended to espalier them, but I am sure I have read someone here has done it successfully. What branches have you got to work with on your tree? If you only have one then you need to look at encouraging strong branches for training - ways to achieve this is cutting the leader, nicking ( I forget the proper term) or grafting.

I hope this helps

[Bigmallly]

Hello Shawman & welcome to the Jungle. It should be possible to train it at 90 degrees but will have to be done in stages so as you don't risk breaking the branches, maybe start at 45 then 60 then 90.

[Shawman]

Thank you for the quick responses.
I have taken some pictures but will get some betters one for you to look at tomorrow.

[Bigmallly]

Thank you for the quick responses.
I have taken some pictures but will get some betters one for you to look at tomorrow.

...................

[Shawman]

I nipped down to the allotment at lunchtime and took some more. Helps there is a pub on the way

[Shawman]

I cant seem to edit my post, sorry about the bunching of the images.
Is there a way that I can keep the images the correct way up?
Thanks,

[Guest]

Sorry if you feel I am being a pain (I am struggling to get my head round what you trying to do)..........but.... what are you growing in that area? Are you intending to do rows of trained trees or is this a single specimen on the edge of your plot?

Whilst you are establishing the tree you are better not to grow anything around the base of it. If in following years it isn't very vigorous you will be better to keep it clear so nothing is competing with it. However, if you do plant to compete then you might want to consider what you plant to allow minimal root disturbance for the tree. Personally I would leave the tree a year to establish before worrying about training, as I personally don't feel the branches are substantial enough yet.

In regards to pics if you crop them first before adding to site it should resolve the rotation issue. I have no idea why it is just one of those weird things.

[Shawman]

Hi,
I have had a go at editing my picture so you can see what i mean.
The red lines are the wire frame support that I will be putting in.



There are three rows:

First row (the one furthest away in picture) has 5 canes of summer rasps and 5 canes of autumn rasp. This will have a wire frame support going across. (*I am aware that autumn rasp do not need supports but I am putting it in anyway)

Second row has the cherry tree then a good 3 metre gap before there is a blackberry bush and then 2 metres and another blackberry bush. This will also have a wire frame support.

Third row has a gooseberry, blackcurrant and redcurrant bush (about the same distance apart)

There is 2 metre gap between each row.

I am hoping to train the cherry tree across the supports of the second row and put some wire support between the end of the first and second row and train it across that. So at a 90 degree angle. Nothing will be grown around it. There will be a fruit cage put over all the rows at some point.

OPTION 2

Is that I put another wire frame support to the third row (by the gooseberry) and just have it spread across the end of the row.

Sorry I hope that cleared it up a bit

[Bigmallly]

You shouldn't need wires for Goosgogs & Currants.

[Shawman]

Yes the third row wont have a wire frame support. I will only put a post in at the end of the row if it is better to put the cherry tree across the end of the rows rather than at a 90 degree angle.

[Guest]

Hi,
I have had a go at editing my picture so you can see what i mean.
The red lines are the wire frame support that I will be putting in.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]70824[/ATTACH]

There are three rows:

First row (the one furthest away in picture) has 5 canes of summer rasps and 5 canes of autumn rasp. This will have a wire frame support going across. (*I am aware that autumn rasp do not need supports but I am putting it in anyway)

Second row has the cherry tree then a good 3 metre gap before there is a blackberry bush and then 2 metres and another blackberry bush. This will also have a wire frame support.

Third row has a gooseberry, blackcurrant and redcurrant bush (about the same distance apart)

There is 2 metre gap between each row.

I am hoping to train the cherry tree across the supports of the second row and put some wire support between the end of the first and second row and train it across that. So at a 90 degree angle. Nothing will be grown around it. There will be a fruit cage put over all the rows at some point.

OPTION 2

Is that I put another wire frame support to the third row (by the gooseberry) and just have it spread across the end of the row.

Sorry I hope that cleared it up a bit

Thank you that makes my head a lot less fuzzy Once your wires are up you can then put canes against the wires then train the branches along the canes However, I still stick to the leave it a year before worrying unless you are purposely looking at encouraging branches.



Can't wait to see how it evolves

Edit: I know it is a fig but it is just to show the cane and wires I meant

[Bigmallly]

So following on from NG's pic, tie the bamboo canes in at 45 degrees then later on tie the canes at 60 degrees then finally 90 degrees.

[Shawman]

Great, thanks for all your replies. This is a great forum for advice and I am sure I will be back with more questions

And will upload the progress.

Thanks again.