Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 5.7
Bush or standard-trained.
The pyramid-shaped tree is a less formal
affair with branches that incline more to the
vertical as they are not restrained by strings.
growth growing towards the centre of the
tree to two buds/leaves. If you are aiming at
a spindle shape use weighted soft strings
(that do not cut into the branch) to slowly
pull the side branches down to the
horizontal (see Figure 5.8). These will
become the main framework branches. The
next winter cut back the new growth made in
summer by about two-thirds to a bud facing
downwards, also remove any crossed or
overly vertical growth. Tip the central leader
by one bud to keep the lower buds alive.
Always cut to a bud on the opposite side of
the stem from last year's top bud. This will
give the appearance of a straight stem in
years to come.
The branches of any tree trained to a central
trunk/leader should never be closer to the
trunk than a 45° angle; for spindles an 85 to
90° angle is ideal. Planting distances of 3 m to
4 m is recommended.
Plant your feathered maiden or whip and
when established cut away the leader at a
metre to 1.2 m high, leaving two sets of side
branches to start at between 45 cm to 60 cm
from the ground - trim them back by a third
of their length. The first summer let your
trees just grow, only pruning out very vertical
