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Fan Training & Other Forms

Fan Training & Other Forms
by Alison North Alison North

What is fan training?

A fan is similar to an espalier - both are trained against a wall but here the branches are trained upwards at 45 degree angles in a fan shape rather than outwards.

Why should I grow one?

Stone fruits need a sunny, sheltered position to produce a large crop, and so training them flat against a wall is ideal, as they’ll absorb the warmth from it. Spacing the branches out in a fan allows more air to circulate between them, preventing fungal diseases and ultimately producing better fruits.

What trees can I fan train?

Fans are most commonly used for stone fruit, which can’t be espaliered. The following trees can be trained into fans: Apple Trees, Pear Trees, Cherry Trees, Plum Trees, Peach Trees, Apricot Trees, Nectarine Trees, Fig Trees and Almond Trees.

Fan Training & Other Forms

What is Step Over training?

A stepover is a one-tier espalier tree (usually apple) grown on a miniature rootstock. They’re so low you can literally step over them and they’re often used as boundaries in allotments and kitchen gardens. 

Why should I grow one?

One of the best space-saving techniques you can use! Why divide your garden up with fencing when you can use tiny apple trees? 

What trees can I stepover train?

Spur bearing apples, some spur-bearing apple varieties include Bountiful, Braeburn, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Dabinett, Falstaff, Fiesta, Gala, Golden Delicious, James Grieve, Jonagold, Katy, Laxton’s Superb, Red Devil, Red Windsor, Rubinette and Spartan

Fan Training & Other Forms

What is half-standard training?

 Half standard trees have a straight main trunk with the lower 1.2-1.5m of branches pruned off. You can also find standards, quarter standards and ¾ standards, but the half standard is the most popular for fruit trees. They can be described as having a ‘lollipop’ shape. 

Why should I grow one?

Half standards work well in small beds or containers, as they leave a lot of space clear on the ground for other plants to grow under them. They make a good sized tree which is easier to harvest than trees of full height. 

What trees can I half-standard train?

The following trees can be trained into half-standards: Apple Trees, Pear Trees, Cherry Trees, Plum Trees, Peach Trees, Apricot Trees, Nectarine Trees, Fig Trees and Almond Trees.

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