That is an excellent idea…..I have seen it done with older trees and huge semi matures but not younger trees…..with less predictable weather and dry spells it seems like good insurance. Many thanks and best wishes….Malcolm

Just had to reply to you Eileen, I live in Canada and my maiden name was Tarrant, which was really rare when I was young. I came from Gateshead 50 years ago Maybe way back when we are somewhat remotely related LOL

@@dorothyandrews8872 hello nice to hear from you, my husband was a Tarrant but we only married in my 50s so I don’t know much about his ancestors but we were from Nottinghamshire but you never know these days have a lovely Christmas 👍ET

@@eileentarrant9876 I think my Grandfather came from London within the sound of Bow Bells, and then went up north I guess when he got married. Anyway, lovely to hear from you and Have a very merry Christmas

Yes David…I reduce the horizontals extension growth by about a third in winter…….then allow the strongest lead shoot to train along the wire….meaning I don’t cut that shoot back in July. What this does is activate more buds along the step over which you cut back as you said in July/august to about two buds…..creating a series of spurs along the the length of the stepover, these bear the fruit each year……if you just allowed the leader to grow you wouldn’t get as many fruiting spurs along the length of the plant. So. Laterals all cut back July/august leaving a strong shoot at the end to continue along your wire which you cut back by a third in winter….repeat the process until the allotted space has been filled then just do everything in summer. Hope that helps. Best wishes…Malcolm

I was actually Mark, but it’s always worth being reminded. Many years ago I wrote a whole article about the ‘bones’ of the ancient forests that are now Rannoch moor in Scotland. Best wishes…Malcolm

Splendid. Thank you. Please publicise this and tell people.

I'm pretty sure? When he mentioned the step overs which are apples I knew the answer I think anyway. I think maiden is a form of training or pruning?

The first ones I picked up were apples Richard….but a ‘maiden’ can be any type of tree as it refers to the growth and age…..you could use the term sapling if it were seed grown I guess but we tend to just refer to the young nursery stock as maidens. As for varieties there are too many to name, but personally I like to grow as dessert (eating)Worcester Permian, Katy, Fiesta, Crispin, Greensleeves, Peasgood nonsuch, Brownlees Russett and Meridian, but there are many more; As for culinary (cookers) I would grow Lord Derby, Rev W Wilkes, Grenadier, Keswick Codling…..I do like Bramley but being a biennial bearer lets it down. James Grieve is a good reliable dual purpose apple as is Tom Putt if you can find it…..but as with most things it’s down to personal taste….Climate isn’t so important as it was.Best wishes….Malcolm

@@plantsmanscorner128 Thank you Malcolm. There is so much great info in your short video. I live here in Virginia, USA and its tough convincing people to plant an oak, maple seedling or what we call an apple whip rather than wasting big money on large trees. Those apples you have there are all so fascinating. We have our own here like Winesap, Limbertwig and Horse. Great, all purpose, heirloom southern varieties many started as seedlings by 18th and 19th century settlers from the British Isles and even France.. Thanks again for your nice videos1

Just putting together a new video Lena…….usual stuff and a grafting demonstration. Amanda smutty as ever!