Expert Advice >
Maidens: This is the smallest size and you can train it into any final shape that you like. Read more about Maiden fruit trees.
Cordons: Selected apples and pears only. These are grown diagonally on wires to save space. Read more about Cordon apples & pears here.
Bushes: This is simply a normal fruit tree with a short
trunk, about 60 cms tall, that then divides into the main branches. It
will reach about 3 metres when fully grown and it is the ideal size for a
freestanding tree in a smaller garden. Read more about Bush fruit trees here.
Half-Standards: This is a full sized fruit tree that will reach about 4 metres when it is fully grown. Read more about Half-Standard fruit trees here.
Our Advice:
If you want a large,
free-standing fruit tree as quickly as possible, start with a
Half-standard or a Bush, depending on how much room you have.
If you
want to train your trees against a wall in a fan or espalier,
you must start with a maiden. We do sell selected apple &
pear varieties as ready made cordons, but you can also train these from maidens.
What are Fans, Espaliers and Cordons? These are 3 ways of growing a fruit tree flat against a wall or sturdy fence to save space. Fans are suitable for most fruit trees, but only apples and pears are really suitable for espaliers and cordons. Read more about training fans & espaliers here.
You can buy apple and pear tree rootstocks if you want to graft your own apple or pear trees.