How to train fruit trees on wires
These instructions apply to fixing wires to existing fences or walls for training maiden fruit trees into cordons, espaliers, or fans.
If you are making rows of posts in your beds, it's best to run the rows North-South, meaning that they face East-West.
- Cordons and espaliers are best for spur-fruiting apples & pears.
- Fans are best for all stone fruit, and tip-bearing apples & pears.
Wire-Trained Fruit Trees Against an Existing Wall or Fence
| Facing Direction of wall or fence | Characteristics | Suitable Plants |
|---|---|---|
| South Facing | Sunniest. Gets dry in summer, so mulching & watering are important. | All. Heat loving plants like Figs & Kiwis require South facing walls. |
| West Facing | Afternoon Sun. Good rainfall. | Cherries, Pears, Plums, Damsons, Gages, Apples, All Berry Bushes |
| East Facing | Morning Sun. Less rainfall & colder than West facing. | Cherries, Early Pears, Plums, Damsons, Gages, Apples, All Berry Bushes |
| North Facing | Least Sun - only certain plants will be able to make a decent crop. | Morello Cherries, Damsons, Early & Cooking Apples, Cordon Currants, Gooseberries, Blackberries |
You will need 14 or 16 gauge galvanised fencing wire. 14 gauge wire is necessary for rows of cordons and espaliers, the thinner 16 gauge wire is fine for fan-trained trees and soft fruit.
The wire needs to be held away from the wall or fence, standing out by about 2-4 inches / 5-10cm. You could use wooden battens, or angled metal angle brackets to do this.
The spacing of the wires depends on what you want to grow:
Spacing Between Wires for Different Types of Fruit Tree
| Fruit Tree Shape | Wire Spacing |
|---|---|
| Diagonal Cordons | Every 2 feet / 60cm |
| Fan Trained Trees | Every 6 inches / 15cms. Start at 15 inches / 40 cm above the ground. |
| Espaliers | Every 15-18 inches / 40-45cms. Start at 15 inches / 40 cm above the ground. |
To make the wires nice and tight, you will need to use straining bolts at one end: you can fix the wire to these and then tighten them to make the wire taut. Ask your local DIY shop for advice.
