Kitchen Garden Forum

I have just received my order of 4 new fruit trees from the Fruit & Veg Co. These are 2 apples, 1 mirabelle plum and an early Victoria. The catalogue said that they were feathered maidens, so I expected them to be a central trunk with a couple of laterals. 3 of them are, but the early vic is only the central whip. I rang them about this and was told by the plantsman that 'feathered maiden' is 'only a technical term' and that the trees supplied don't always have laterals. I asked if it would hold up development but he said not. I haven't bought new fruit trees before this year - am I being pedantic or is this okay? Advice much appreciated (before I plant it!).
Vivien

Hi,
I have just bought some apple trees and I went on line to Keepers Nursery and they explain all the terms and types of form. They say that some maidens don't have laterals either, in the end I bought from Thornhayes down in Devon who have a good website as well. May be worth looking at both, one of them had drawings of maidens etc and how to prune. Can't suggest anything else.
Sorry - perhaps someone else will help!
Hilary

We set up an orchard 3 years ago, ordering from a well known tree nursery in Herefordshire and some of our trees arrived as you suggest - just whips. They have made the same growth as the others, so I wouldn't be too concerned.

Great - thanks guys. I must say that the trees seem to be good quality and the early vic is very sturdy, even without any laterals.
Thanks again for the help.