Kitchen Garden Forum

I looked for an espalier cherry tree and the price put me off buying one, so I considered the matter and decided to try and find a young tree suitable to train, there were none left at the nearest large nursery, sold out ! A small new local nursery had opened near us so I went to see what I could find.
There was one sweet cherry tree left, at a bargain price, and it was perfect for training, there were three main branches and it looked healthy and sturdy, the lady in the nursery was very helpful, explaining how to do it.
LOL You should have seen the pickle I got into trying to make an A frame ladder to train the branches, I needed arms like an octopus - finally I enlisted my partners help and tamed the tree, the two smaller branches trained one side, and the longer one the other side, I can't wait for the next tussle when new leaders have grown. LOL The two morello cherries and other sweet cherry have green fruits on now. Necessity is the mother of invention, and we live and learn grins.

Dear Nature's Babe, you have done the hard bit now, let's hope you enjoy the fruits of your labours.

Hi NB,
Have you considered budding another branch or branches to even up the tree or is this too soon to contemplate after your struggle. Next spring would be the time to do it.
JB.

Hi Johnboy and Old Herbacious the lady in the nursery said new leaders would grow after I bent and trained the others, so yes as soon as they grow I will even it up, and hopefully add another layer or two, the branches I have are nice and long already. It looks like all the fruit will do well this year, all the other trees, pear apples amd morellos have plenty of fruit on, lots of fruit coming on the self fertile kiwi too, and the strawberery bed is smothered in flowers. i think the hard winter has galvanised them all into action!