Growing fruit trees on trellises
Many gardeners are faced with the problem of a lack of free space on their site. For example, you really want to have your own pear or apple tree, and there is only enough space for 2 greenhouses and several beds. An excellent solution in such a situation would be to grow a fruit tree on a trellis attached to a support. This method was first used by the Belgians and the French.
How to grow a tree on a trellis
- maximum amount of light;
- reduced risk of disease due to good air circulation;
- more efficient watering compared to a regular fruit tree;
- good productivity;
- suitable for all types of trees and shrubs.
Try to choose trees that are small in size and grow slowly and do not rise too high. Be sure to check with the seller what kind of rootstock was used if you buy a seedling in a nursery. The grafting serves as a regulator of the growth of the root system, and also helps to increase the yield. The rootstock can also limit the height of the tree itself. For example, let's take two apple trees of the same variety. One will reach 9 meters in height, and the growth of the other will stop at 2 meters. This is the influence of the rootstock.
For trellis growing, use rootstock plants that will restrict tree growth to the dwarf or semi-dwarf stage. The formed tree should not exceed 3.5 meters in height.
Shaping the crown
Horizontal cordon
This method is often used to pears, plums and apple trees. The trunk should be one. It will serve as a kind of column. The two main branches are spread apart and tied to the hedge parallel to the ground. The lateral shoots should be grown up to half a meter in length and then trimmed. You can choose their slope, giving the desired shape to objects or shapes. By the way, if there are more trunks, it is called "double cordon".
Fan
The trunk of the plant is shortened to half a meter, and the lateral branches are directed by rays horizontally and diagonally. Additional shoots are formed on them. This is a versatile method that can be applied to any type of tree.
Trellis and palmette
The branches of the tree diverge parallel to the ground in numerous tiers, the distance between which should be about 30 cm. Palmetta differs in that the branches diverge upward at an angle of 45º.
Installation and landing
For the location of the future fence, choose places well-lit by the sun. The basis of the structure will be pillars, to which wooden planks or wire are attached. The stem of the plant itself is attached to the post. Fix the branches in the desired position and fasten them to the jumpers.
The requirements for planting seedlings, pit depth, soil composition and watering schedule are the same as for conventional trees. You can plant plantings close to each other, depending on the base frame.
Arrange tree species to achieve the best possible cross-pollination.
An interesting effect is achieved by installing a trellis with a solid wall, to which dwarf trees are planted at such an interval that their grown branches touch, forming a single green hedge. It looks very beautiful, and the fruits growing on it give this building even more charm.
The variety of shapes and angles at which the frame branches will go is limited only by your imagination.
Pruning
Pruning fruit trees is the most important part of the entire process. It is necessary to maintain the shape of the crown, prevent disease and prevent excessive growth of shoots. Young trees should be pruned once a year in early spring. The exceptions are cherries and plums, which are best cut in late spring - early summer.
When fruiting begins, start summer pruning. It is necessary so that the tree does not waste resources on actively growing leaves, but gives them entirely for the production of fruits. Try to cut off shoots as short as possible, and remove diseased and dead branches completely.
In addition to pruning the branches, you should also thin out the fruit. Yes, this will somewhat reduce the amount of harvest at the output, but it will help to improve the taste of the remaining fruits.
Trellis growing method fruit trees easy to implement, saves space and transforms the garden beyond recognition. Place the trellis on the wall of the old barn and plant the cherries. An unsightly building will turn into a beautiful object. You can do the same with the wall of a house or garage, or create a small labyrinth of green walls in the yard, on which flowers will grow in the spring, and your children can play there from morning to evening.