[allotmentann]

Hi just wondered what is the best way to keep my fruit trees small. I am not certain what root stock they are on and they are already planted in the ground as very young trees. I saw (too late), that you can get root control bags to keep the size down. Without resorting to digging them up is there anything I can do to make sure that they don't get out of hand? Thank you

[mattwragg94]

The only way you can keep them under control is by annual pruning

[allotmentann]

Yes I guessed quite a bit of pruning will be needed! But can you keep a tree at any size you want through pruning or will it just slow down the growth rate? I am not sure I am being very clear, just getting a bit bothered, as I want trees on my plot but don't want to block out all the light or end up with no workable ground because it is full of tree roots. 

[Kleftiwallah]

Here's a page or two from my Dad's old gardening book.



Hope it helps ?        Cheers,     Tony.

[allotmentann]

Thanks Kleftiwallah, that is really good information. It sounds a bit complicated but I am sure once I actually try doing it, it will seem clearer. It also answers another of my questions as I have a Mirabelle which arrived as a maiden (I am learning!) and have been wondering how I coax it into 'tree' shape! And the information on the difference between a fruit bud and a leaf bud is new to me and something I have not seen in other articles I have looked at about pruning. What a lovely book to have, especially as it belonged to your dad.

[devonbarmygardener]

You can get lots of dwarf varieties of tree these days and they should stay small with annual pruning.

The apple tree on the plot next to mine probably should have been a dwarf plant but has been allowed to grow and as far as I'm concerned - what lands on my plot (or leans over my plot and shades it) is mine. The tree trunk is only 4 feet tall but the branches have been allowed to go mad.

You can buy espaliered trees or step-over trees (seen at Rosemoor in Devon for example) which could edge a plot without taking over. Probably the roots will grow out, but if they are under a major roadway/path through an allotment then it should be kept under the road/path by the traffic (don't know if you have a transport path through your plot)
That might be an option.
I thought of having a step-over apple tree on the bottom of my plot - still am - but  its about £50 minimum

Hope this helps

Emma

[aqua]

i have made stepover trees from cheap apple trees - very easy. easiest way is to cut the top off just above a bud that is pointing the way you want the tree to grow. it will need at stick and the new branch will need support but it will work

[devonbarmygardener]

i have made stepover trees from cheap apple trees - very easy. easiest way is to cut the top off just above a bud that is pointing the way you want the tree to grow. it will need at stick and the new branch will need support but it will work

Good thinking! You just have to make the tree do what you want it to do.
Emma

[lacewing]

My eyesight must be getting bad,  I can't read  Cliftiwallah's  book. Is there some way that I can enlarge it?

[Gandan57]

My eyesight must be getting bad,  I can't read  Cliftiwallah's  book. Is there some way that I can enlarge it?

       

To increase font size, just press Control and the Plus sign keys.

[lacewing]

Thank you Gandan57, I can read it clearly now.  I really ought to study 'The idiots guide to computing'.