Pittsburgh Permaculture

This is a quick and easy way to train fruit trees to get the branch angle you want.

Materials list:

• A couple plastic grocery bags
• A straight stick or piece of bamboo
• A few small rocks
• A fruit tree you want to train

BEFORE

An apple tree with an upright branch that requires training.

If you have a tree like the one above which has a branch with too steep of an angle and you want to train it out but it is too big to use the clothes pin trick but still has flexibility to it, this method may do the trick.

1. The first thing you want to do is place one grocery bag inside the other and poke a few small holes through both of them to let any water drain out.
2. Next you want to carefully place the handles of your bags on the branch you want to train. Space them out a bit so you don’t stress the branch too much in one spot. Obviously this is easier earlier in the year because there are fewer branches and leaves to contend with.
3. Now that your bags are placed on the branch, slowly add your small rocks until the weight brings the branch down to the height you are looking for. Do not just plop a big old rock or brick in there without knowing how much weight you need!
4. Finally put your stick down through the bag and, piercing the bags, slide the stick through and stake the stick in the ground. The stake helps to keep the wind from blowing the bag around too much, as well as control the lateral direction of the branch as well.
5. Check the branch every now and then for chaffing and to make sure the training is working. After a few months you’ll be able to remove the bags (with scissors) and the branch will hold the new angle.

Have fun and good luck!

AFTER

A branch trained with grocery bags, a stick and some small rocks.