Can you fan train a plum tree?

There are a wide range of fruits that can be fan-trained, including: Almonds, apples, cherries, figs, gooseberries, pears, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums and redcurrants.

What shape should a plum tree be?

Young plum trees (up to three years old) are best lightly pruned in spring. The most popular way to prune is to create a ‘bush’ shape with an open centre – like a goblet or wine glass. This means that light, air and sun can get to the developing fruits.

How do you fan train a Victoria plum tree?

It’s quite easy to fan train a Victoria – or any plum. A young tree is best to start with – cut the whole thing back in the winter to about 18” so you’re left with an umpromising stubby stick. From just below where you cut it off, later in the Spring, the two top-most buds will produce 2 strong new lateral branches.

What is the difference between fan and espalier?

If you want a very formal effect then choose espalier-trained trees, as the 90-degree angles between the stem and the branches create an attractive regimented appearance, compared with the more variable angles of fan-trained trees. Conversely for a flowing semi-formal effect, choose a fan-trained tree.

How do you train a plum tree?

Initial training The angle of the main stem slows the movement of sap and encourages more even growth. Trim any side shoots back to three or four buds in March to April. Prune the leading shoot by one third to a suitable bud and thereafter prune in summer. Tie the cordon to a bamboo cane fixed to the wires.

How do you train a fruit tree to grow horizontally?

During the first season, let the buds grow into new shoots. Pick the three sturdiest ones and prune off the rest. When the shoots are 3-4 inches long, gently bend and tie one to the lowest right-side horizontal wire and another shoot to the left. Your tree should now look like a lower-case “t”.

When should I prune a plum tree?

When to prune plums Avoid pruning plums in winter, as it increases the risk of infection by silver leaf disease to which plums and other Prunus species are prone. The best time for pruning is usually spring for young trees and mid-summer for established ones.

Will Victoria plums ripen off the tree?

Victoria plums that ripen on a tree in your backyard orchard are really delicious eaten fresh. However, if you buy them in supermarkets, they may have been picked early and allowed to ripen off-tree, reducing the flavor. It’s the color of the Victoria plum that is the tip-off as to ripeness.

Can plums be grown as cordons?

Any plum cultivars can be grown as cordons by using the dwarfing rootstock ‘Pixy’, but the best results are from those cultivars which are naturally compact such as ‘Early Laxton’, ‘Czar’ and ‘Blue Tit’.

How big do fan trained plum trees grow?

Fan trained Plum Trees – Trees grow to an eventual height of around 2 m (7 ft). Although the shortest of all the forms, they will grow to a width of around 3 m and are really only a practical proposition when grown against a wall (not north-facing). If you have that sort of wall space available, this is the form for you.

What is a fan shaped fruit tree?

A fan shape has a very short trunk (about 60cms) and all the branches spread upwards and outwards from the top of it. Any fruit tree can be trained as a fan, but it is mainly used for figs, cherries, plums and related trees in the Prunus group, such as bullaces, damsons and so on.

What is the Best Direction for a fan trained Plum?

Our fan trained Plums are available for sale in very wide variety and a south or west facing aspect is best. Some culinary variety of fan trained plum are suitable for an east facing wall.

What does a fan trained tree look like?

A classical fan trained tree consists of a short clear trunk of no more than 45cm (18 inches) which splits into two main arms forming a “Y” shape and a set of branches radiating out from these main arms to make a fan shape. Depending on the rootstock a mature fan trained tree would require a height of 2-3m (6-10ft) and a span of 2.5-5m (8-15ft).