How to treat a young medlar tree

last autumn we bought some new fruit trees, and took delivery of them at the start of this year.

They are all 1 year maidens, and are doing really well.

The medlar is about 2 metres tall, and is growing away strongly. It has no side branches - it is basically a whip with new side growth coming out from the main stem.

The grafting point is about 6" above the soil, and the first side shoots are coming out about 4" above that. We will eventually want a tree which starts branching at about 2-3' above the soil, allowing us some space for under planting. Should I rub out the lowest side shoots this first year? Or leave them all to grow, to get as much food into the tree as possible, as it establishes? If I should rub them out, up to about 12" or 18"?

(Generally, when growing on a young tree, I leave the lower branches on for the first year, unless they are at extreme risk of mower injury, raising the canopy in the subsequent years, in a gradual manner)

(Photos to follow in the morning!)

 

Oops, just realised I didn't take photos today. It be a bit dark now, so I be takin them in the morrow.... (Watching the BBC folk awards, with some fine folk-flute....)

 

Photo, as promised...

 

The lowest branches on trees do more than just help in absorbing sunlight for photosynthesis. They help to strengthen and stabilise the tree by adding mass around the lower portion of the tree. Without them trees tend to grow tall, thin and prone to bending.

 

I get your point, @HarmonyArb.... Lower branches do help to keep a tree in balance.

However, what we have here is not a tree with branches, but a 6' whip, with leaf-buds growing out of the only stem, every 2", from 2" above the graft upwards. At what point do you remove the lower leaves/stems?

 

Ah, I get your point, Sian. Sorry, I couldn't see the photo.

What I'd do first if it was my tree would be to choose a good dominant top bud and cut off the tip to that point. This will first of all stop the tree becoming too tall and whip-like, and secondly, encourage strong lateral branches to develop.

Secondly I'd choose the lowest (first) dominant branch and clear the stem up to that point. In successive years I would keep pruning back the lateral branches to encourage new, fruit bearing branches to develop.

But that's just what I would do. Others may offer a different opinion.