Make an apple or pear U-cordon
IF YOU’RE GARDEN VISITING this month, look out for newly clipped restricted fruit tree forms such as espaliers, stepovers and cordons. One of the simplest but most productive is the U-cordon, where a single trunk is split low down into two parallel vertical branches. In late autumn, choose a one-year-old maiden whip of a spur-bearing cultivar (not a tip bearer) or a feathered tree that already has two branches (see below). You’ll need a compatible tree nearby for pollination; even self-fertile trees crop better if they’re cross-pollinated. Plant against a wall or fence with a system of support wires already in place. With a maiden whip, cut the stem back to 25cm (10in), pruning to a bud. In spring, train two emerging shoots (one either side) as ‘arms’ slightly above the horizontal. After 20cm (8in), allow the shoots to turn upwards. Attach a vertical cane and train them to it. Establishing the U is the hardest bit; you may need to force shoots to appear
from the main stem using ‘notching’. Or, buy a young U-cordon that already has the initial two arms, then continue the vertical training yourself. Prune every summer. Tie in
the two stems as they grow. Each July or August, prune laterals growing from the stems to 7cm (3in) or three leaves (not counting the little basal cluster of leaves). Prune sideshoots growing off laterals back to 3cm (1in) or a single leaf.