How do I prune my fan-trained plum?
QAnne Lock, Dereham, Norfolk
AI would describe your tree, not as a fan but as a palmette. This is where the branches of a young fruit tree are splayed out and tied in at an angle. Unfortunately, it’s becoming common practice to label such trees as ‘fans’. Palmettes are OK but they tend to fruit mainly around the edges of the tree, so yields are lower than for a fan.
A true fan has no central leader and all growth arises from two lower branches or arms, one on either side of the main trunk, about 30cm (12in) from the ground. These two arms are tied in at 45 degrees. They’re then shortened back to about 40cm (15in) to a downward facing bud. Subsequent shoots developing during the summer from the arms are then splayed out and tied into the supporting wires.
I would select the strongest pair of lower branches. Remove any side branches below these and then prune out the rest of the central leader. Although drastic, the existing root system would support strong new growth during the summer and you would have the beginnings of a very respectable fan for next year.