Fruit trees and cordoning

[David Simpson]

Our neighbour has just passed on two fruit trees to us, Apple
"discovery" and Pear "doyen du comice" they were both cordoned in their
old habitat (they have a small garden). We have a lot more room but
should we keep them in the style to which they have become accustomed or
can we train them into something else? From what I have read, people
"cordon" when they have limited space but this sacrifices yield. I think
the trees are about 5 yrs old.

TIA
--
David Simpson

[nmcloughlin]

Cordoning makes for easier picking. I would leave them as they are. Easier
to spray as well.
norman
David Simpson <david....@chapelhouse.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:qHDpWLAp...@chapelhouse.demon.co.uk...

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[anton]

David Simpson wrote in message ...

I don't see why you can't train them in any form you like, provided:
1. The rootstock has got enough vigour (you can't plan on 1 15ft high tree
if it won't grow that far!).
2. You're not trying to make branches grow out of very old wood.
[But if you want to encourage a particular bud to grow in say a 3-year old
branch, cut a little notch through the bark & slightly into the wood, ABOVE
the bud]
3. Discovery has stiff thick young branches, and it's been quite a struggle
to espalier mine, so I wouldn't bother doing anything fancy with Discovery.

--
Anton