Maiden:

A one year old tree - normally a straight stick approx. 90-100cm tall. This is the basic building block, suitable for growing on into a wide range of shapes and sizes (depending on the rootstock). The most economical option, but at least 2 years away from producing fruit.

Bush:

A three year old tree, pruned to have about 80cm of clear stem before the branch canopy begins. Overall height at point of purchase 125/150cm, and will grow on to a small free-standing tree approx. 3m - 3.5m. Our bush trees are all on a semi-dwarfing rootstock. Probably the best choice for a 'normal' garden fruit tree - picking, pruning, etc can all be done from ground level. Allow 4m spacing per tree.

Half Standard:

A four year old tree, pruned to have 120cm of clear stem before the branch canopy begins. Overall height at point of purchase 150/175cm, and will grow on to a tall free-standing tree approx. 6m. Our half standard trees are all on vigorous rootstocks, so will make large, traditional orchard-sized trees. The extra height of clear stem means these trees can easily be undergrazed, and they will in time make large, impressive trees - but remember that picking and pruning is more difficult. Allow 6m spacing per tree.

Standard:

A five year old tree, pruned to have 1.6 - 1.8m of clear stem before the branch canopy begins. Overall height at point of purchase 175/200cm, and will grow on to a tall free-standing tree approx. 7m. Our standard trees are all on vigorous rootstocks, so will make large, traditional orchard-sized trees. The extra height of clear stem means these trees can easily be undergrazed, and they will in time make large, impressive trees - but remember that picking and pruning is more difficult. Allow 7m spacing per tree.

Cordon:

A three year old tree, trained to have a single central stem with short side shoots appearing along the length, which have been pruned back to encourage fruiting spur production. Height at point of sale, approx. 1.5m. All cordons are on a semi-dwarfing rootstock. They can be trained vertically or angled at 45 degrees, supported by a post or against a wall or fence. Plant at 1m spacing. An excellent option for growing several varieties in a small space. 

Only apples and pears can be reliably grown as cordons, as they are spur-bearing (rather than on the tips of branches).

Step-over:

A two year old tree, where the central leader has been pruned approx. 35-40cm above soil level, and two horizontal 'arms' have been trained out from just beneath this point. Step-overs are in effect one tier espaliers, and are extremely ornamental and productive along the edge of a path or border, or used to divide sections in an allotment. Allow 2.5m spacing per tree.

Only apples and pears can be reliably grown as step-overs, as they are spur-bearing (rather than on the tips of branches).

Espalier:

A two-dimensional tree for training against a wall or fence, or on wires stretched between posts. A one tier espalier will have the first horizontal 'tier' at 35-40cm above soil level. A two tier espalier will have the second tier approx. 35cm above this. Both 1 and 2 tier espaliers will have the central leader in place, ready to be pruned to add further tiers. Allow 2.5-3m space per tree.

Only apples and pears can be reliably grown as espaliers, as they are spur-bearing (rather than on the tips of branches).

Fan - traditional:

A two-dimensional tree for training against a wall or fence, or on wires stretched between posts. Branches radiate out from the central leader. Allow 2.5-3m space per tree.

5-7s trees will have between 5 and 7 branch tips already in place at point of sale.

8-11s trees will have 8 or more branch tips at point of sale.

All top fruit trees (apples, pears, cherries, plums, damsons and gages) can be grown as fan-trained trees.