Using pruning techniques, it is possible to shape your tree to a particular style. There are seven main tree shapes that all have their own benefits for particular situations. During the growth of the tree, simply cut off the undesired branches, tie the wanted branches into the correct shape, and you will be able to shape it however you want. But, for some of the more advanced shapes, equally advanced pruning techniques are needed. There are many books [apin]available|written[/spin] on this topic.

Normally, if you’re trying to get your tree to a particular shape, all the tying and pruning should take place in the fall. This will encourage the shape to stick, as no fruits will be produced at that time. Each of the different shapes is very useful in certain situations. So, here are some different types of shapes you are able to select from.

Standard trees hardly need any explanation. These are the varieties that are most common, and very likley when you think of any tree. No specific shaping is required to get the shape to take this form. Just let it grow and prune it as you would normally, and unless you have a strangely deformed tree then it should end up being a standard tree.

It is possible to turn a standard tree into a bush tree through pruning. The branches take the same shape, but the stem or trunk of the tree is noticeably shorter. This can be useful if you want to grow trees, but don’t want to block the view. For example, my house has a great view of the Rocky Mountains. I didn’t want to sacrifice this spectacular panorama, so I grew my trees up as bush trees.

Cordons are a type of tree that you might not be familiar with. It consists of one stem with no branches. It is planted at an angle so that it arches up over the ground. Through the course of its growth, all branches are removed. These are useful because they take up very small amounts of space and more can be fitted in a certain square footage. The only negative aspect is that they produce less fruit per tree.

Espalier trees grow with a single vertical stem in the center, and several horizontal branches on each side. These allow for long rows of trees, while still producing large amounts of fruit. If you operate an orchard, you very likley use this shape to fit as many trees as possible into the area you have.

Fan trees use the same theory as espalier trees. But, the shape is slightly different. The same central vertical stem is used, but the connected branches are not horizontal; they grow in the same pattern as a standard tree, only they are two dimensional rather than three dimensional. They are also grown to save space, and are used instead of espalier trees for certain types of trees that do better with sloped branches.

Another type of espalier is the step-over espalier. They are like a normal espalier, but with just one horizontal branch very close to the ground. They are particularly interesting because they still produce delicious fruit while offering a border for whatever you want. I have used step-over trees to fence off my backyard. They are definitely my favorite shape of tree, simply because they are like a fence that bears fruit. What’s not to love?

As you can see, each of these shapes has its own benefits and negative aspects too. If any of these sounds like they would be a good fit for your backyard, you can ask your local nursery employees for suggestions on reading material that will asist you achieve your goals. Most of the time, getting the tree into the desired shape is a very easy process and just needs some guidance at the beginning.

And what about a pergola in your backyard? They are a great place to relax or entertain family and friends. Building one is not that difficult
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These articles are sure to inspire you to make a pergola a landscape feature in your backyard.