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Trees for Fan Training

Plums, gages, damsons, cherries, peaches, nectarines and apricots are often grown as fans, particularly where space is limited and especially in colder areas. This form is also often used for apples and pears. The main stem is short and the ribs of the fan emanate from two low angled arms. Trees should be planted 15-25cm (6-10in) away from the wall or fence and the stem inclined slightly towards it. The wall should be fitted with horizontal wires 15cm (6in apart).

 

Fan trained trees need annual maintenance pruning in late summer so that they keep in good shape and remain productive.

 

Please note, we don't supply trees that are ready trained as fans. We offer a range of apples, pears, plums, cherries and other stone fruits that are supplied as one year old maidens and are suitable for training in situ as fans.

 

So what should you think about when choosing trees for fan training? Your wall's aspect matters. South or south-west facing walls work brilliantly for peaches and apricots: they love the warmth. North-facing spots? These can be used for the 'Morello' (cooking) cherry.

 

Rootstock choice controls your tree's final size. Plums, gages and damsons on St Julien 'A' rootstock and cherries on Colt rootstock can occupy a space up to 3.6-4.6m (12-15ft) wide. Peaches, nectarines and apricots on Montclair rootstock can occupy a space up to 3.6m (12ft) wide. Trees can be restricted though with summer pruning.

 

Check pollination requirements too. Many fruit trees need compatible partners nearby to crop well. And don't forget your local climate. Early flowering fruits such as peaches, nectarines and apricots really benefit from wall protection if you're in a cooler region.

 

Ready to turn your garden walls into productive growing spaces? Browse our selection of maiden trees perfect for fan training. Our expert team can help you choose the right trees for your garden.


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(image for) Apple Tree 'Adam's Pearmain' for training
£32.95Apple Tree 'Adam's Pearmain' for trainingThis old English dessert apple is thought to have originated from Norfolk around 200 years ago. It was one of the most popular varieties in Victorian times and remains a valued garden variety today. The distinctive 'pearmain' shaped fruits are crisp with a rich, aromatic, nutty flavour typical of many russets. An excellent keeper. The tree has good scab resistance so is a good choice for wetter areas. Very attractive blossom.Buy Now
(image for) Apple Tree 'Arthur Turner' for training
£32.95Apple Tree 'Arthur Turner' for trainingRaised in 1912, this is one of the best early cooking apples and a popular garden variety. Cooks to a well flavoured yellow puree requiring little added sugar. Also delicious baked. Heavy cropping. Resistant to scab. Suitable for the north and wet areas.Buy Now
(image for) Apple Tree 'Ashmead's Kernel' for training
£32.95Apple Tree 'Ashmead's Kernel' for trainingRegarded by many as one of the finest flavoured dessert apples, this heritage variety originates from Gloucester in the 18th century. It has a strong sweet-sharp flavour reminiscent of acid drops. Resistant to scab and mildew. A wise choice for the north. Very attractive blossom.Buy Now
(image for) Apple Tree 'Bardsey' for training
£32.95Apple Tree 'Bardsey' for trainingThis is a very special dual-purpose dessert/culinary apple, believed to be the only survivor of an orchard tended by monks on remote Bardsey Island (off the Welsh coast) 1000 years ago. Discovered only recently, the ancient mother tree is miraculously free from disease - a very unusual occurrence in north Wales. The fruits are striped pink and have a distinct scent of lemon. They will cook to a delicate light golden fluff and require no added sugar. Eaten as a dessert apple the fruits are crisp, sweet and juicy.Buy Now
(image for) Apple Tree 'Beauty of Bath' for training
£32.95Apple Tree 'Beauty of Bath' for trainingOriginating from Somerset c1864 and grown commercially in Victorian times, this early ripening variety remains a popular dessert apple. The red flushed fruits are juicy with a distinctive sharp taste. It is best eaten straight from the tree as the fruits do not store well. Heavy cropping. Very resistant to scab. Suitable for the north and wet regions.Buy Now
(image for) Apple Tree 'Bloody Ploughman' for training
£32.95Apple Tree 'Bloody Ploughman' for trainingFirst recorded in 1883, there is an interesting story behind the name of this well-known Scottish apple. It originates from the Carse of Gowrie where allegedly a ploughman was shot dead by a gamekeeper for stealing apples from the Megginch Estate. When the ploughman's body was returned to his wife she found some of the stolen apples in his pockets and got rid of them on the rubbish heap. One of the seedlings that subsequently grew produced apples that were blood red in colour and the tree gave rise to the cultivar that was named after the unfortunate ploughman. The fruits are crisp and juicy and when fully ripe can darken to an almost purple colour. The flesh is often stained red which makes it a good variety for juicing and it can also be used to produce cider. It is often considered a dessert apple in Scotland, but the flavour is not particularly sweet and in England it tends to be regarded as a cooker. It makes lovely apple sauce and beautiful pink pies and crumbles. The tree is disease resistant and hardy, performing well in colder areas of the UK.Buy Now
(image for) Apple Tree 'Braeburn Hillwell' for training
£32.95Apple Tree 'Braeburn Hillwell' for trainingAn improved sport of Braeburn with better flavour and colour and more suited to the British climate. The fruits are crisp and aromatic and have excellent keeping qualities. Heavy cropping but best grown in the south as it needs a long growing season. Produces a compact tree - ideal for small gardens.Buy Now
(image for) Apple Tree 'Bramley 20' for training
£32.95Apple Tree 'Bramley 20' for trainingA compact sport of Bramley's Seedling, highly recommended for smaller gardens. Bramley's Seedling is extremely vigorous, producing a tree that is considerably larger than most other apple varieties. Bramley 20 is 20% smaller and heavier cropping.  The apples are the same size as the regular Bramley's Seedling and it is also identical in all other respects. Often regarded as the finest cooker in the world, Bramley's Seedling produces large fruits that cook to a pale cream puree and have a strong acidic flavour. Very attractive bright pink blossom. Stores very well.Buy Now
(image for) Apple Tree 'Cevaal' for training
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Apple Tree 'Cevaal' for trainingAn aromatic Cox-like apple which is sweeter, more disease resistant and ripens earlier than Cox. It is is one of the easiest and most reliable of all apple varieties producing heavy crops of crisp, red flushed dessert apples. Many growers regard Cevaal as the finest tasting early apple. If you've only got room for one apple tree in the garden, this is the variety we recommend. The tree is compact and an excellent choice for the garden. Suitable for the north.Buy Now
(image for) Apple Tree 'Cox self-fertile' for training
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Apple Tree 'Cox self-fertile' for trainingThe classic English dessert apple. This is a self-fertile sport of Cox’s Orange Pippin - almost exactly the same but self-fertile. Sweet with a rich, intense, aromatic flavour. Unsuitable for the north or wet areas.Buy Now
(image for) Apple Tree 'Discovery' for training
£32.95Apple Tree 'Discovery' for trainingThe most widely grown early dessert apple in the UK, raised in Essex c1949. Bright scarlet fruits. Crisp and juicy with a distinctive flavour. Stores very well for an early variety. Resistant to scab and mildew. Can be grown throughout the UK.Buy Now
(image for) Apple Tree 'Egremont Russet' for training
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Apple Tree 'Egremont Russet' for trainingThe most popular russet apple, raised in England 1872. Very distinctive nutty flavour. Resistant to scab, mildew and canker. Can be grown successfully throughout the UK.Buy Now
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