Formative pruning of new, freestanding fruit trees, starts with either unbranched Maidens, or young Bushes or Half Standards with a further year’s branch development.

Pruning A Maiden Fruit Tree “Open Centre”

These videos apply equally to new fruit trees containing pips like apples and pears, and those containing stones, like plum and cherry, being grown as “ordinary trees”.

There are many ways to prune fruit trees! Wire training opens up a new world of fruit tree training options.

This page sticks to the basic, popular Open Centre tree, which opens out the canopy into a hollow ring, making good use of garden space, easy to prune and harvest, with sunlight hitting all the fruit.

Pruning a maiden fruit tree as a Bush or Half-Standard Length Trunk

“Bush” and “Half-Standard” refer to the length of the trunk before it divides into main branches, and therefore the size of the adult tree.

• Naturally, a Bush yields less, which is often preferable in gardens for dessert fruit; smaller yields of more varieties are easier to consume
• Half-Standard trees are preferable for the quantities needed for cider, juicing, and jam-making varieties

If you’re thinking of adding fruit trees to your garden, or giving them as a gift, why not browse our selection below. And don’t forget those all-important planting accessories!

Planting Accessories to Buy or DIY

• Accessories to buy
  • Spiral guards
  • Rootgrow mycorrhizae friendly fungi
• Accessories you might DIY
  • Mulch fabric or Hemp mulch mat could be replaced with any organic mulch
  • Bonemeal slow release fertiliser could be replaced with any rotted manure etc

Option 1: Formative Pruning a Half Standard Tree

Pruning a maiden fruit tree after planting to make an Open Centre Half Standard

Pruning a two-year-old half standard

Pruning a half standard: third and last year of formative pruning

Option 2: Formative Pruning a Bush Tree

Pruning a maiden fruit tree after planting to make an Open Centre Bush tree

Pruning a two-year-old Bush

Pruning a Bush – third and last year of formative pruning