Fruit tree forms

[citation needed] An open bowl or cup form helps sunlight penetrate the canopy, thus encouraging a high fruit yield whilst keeping the tree short and accessible for harvesting.

[citation needed] Other shapes such as cordons, espaliers and fans provide opportunities for growing trees two dimensionally against walls or fences, or they can be trained to function as barriers.

They eventually produce high yields but, being large trees, are not easy to maintain.

[1] Similar to the bush form, although the main leader shoot is allowed to maintain its dominance, resulting in a pyramidal shape.

Designed for dense orchards by Otto Schmitz-Hübsch and Heinrichs in Germany in 1936, this is currently the most popular training system for dwarf apple and pear trees.

[2] Single-stemmed trees planted at an angle (usually 45°), with fruiting spurs encouraged to form along the stem.