Apple Trees Cooking

1 Year Maiden = A one year old tree and the size depends on the variety but in general they will be 125cm in height and will have some side branches.

2 Year Tree = A two year old tree that has been pruned back in the first winter to form a bush shape. Generally trees will be 140-160cm in height with multiple side branches. This height guide is an end of summer height.  

3 Year Tree = A three year old tree that has been pruned to form a bush shape. Generally trees will be 140-160cm in height with multiple side branches. This height guide is an end of summer height.  

2 Year Cordon = The term cordon simply refers to a single stem with short sideshoots (the fruiting spurs). This is usually trained angled to 45 degrees (oblique cordon), but can be trained singly vertically (also known as minarette)

2 Tier Espaliers -  The term espalier refers to the way fruit trees are trained to grow against a wall. It makes the tree easier to prune and the fruit easier to pick. This decorative method was often used in traditional walled kitchen gardens and is perfectly suited to growing fruit in the smaller garden. 

Stepovers - Cultivated since Victorian times, they are basically one tier espaliers that are low enough to simply ‘step over’ where necessary. These are useful to define borders with. Their short stem and a horizontal branch look equally good in front of ornamental borders or vegetables.