[jonewer]

I bought a Czar on VVA1 with the intention of fan training it against a wall.

One setting out to dig the hole,  found the wall has a lip of concrete extending about a foot under the first few inches of soil. Obviously I'm not keen to break this concrete as I imagine its there for a reason.

What does the forum think? Can I plant it away from the wall but lean it in, then train it, or do I have to find somewhere else to put it?

[mumofstig]

The advice is always to put roots away from the wall, as it's very dry there - so yes lean it in towards the wall.

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If training against a wall, the tree should be planted at 8" - 12" from the wall. If you are concerned about the roots damaging the foundations you can plant up to 24" away if necessary, and angle the tree towards the wall.

http://www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/articles/fruit-tree-fans-and-espaliers

[sunshineband]

Just make sure that the part of the trunk below the ground is not directly in contact with the concrete lip, to avoid any damage.

[jonewer]

Just make sure that the part of the trunk below the ground is not directly in contact with the concrete lip, to avoid any damage.

This is what worries me though. I could plant it away from the lip but in a few years the bole could swell to a size that it does come in contact with the concrete.

[simonwatson]

If you put something soft and non-perishable, like an old rubber inner tube, between the trunk and the concrete then if the bole does eventually come in contact with it, it will deform without being forced against a rough surface. As you're planning on fan training it there shouldn't be any issue with wind-rock.