Pruning and training tips - plum fans, UFO cherries, and figs

In this video I talk about some of the key aspects of pruning and training, and more specifically about the growth and fruiting habits of plums, cherries, and figs.
This is an updated version of my previous video (now no longer available) as I was made aware of a problem with the audio that appears to have been limited to certain devices and certain sections of the video. I had some spare footage I could use to fix things, though the content is slightly different in places. Apologies to those who were kind enough to leave such nice comments on the previous video - I appreciate your efforts :)

[@martinmurphy9679]

Brilliant stuff Jonny. I moved out to Cyprus a few years ago and have half an acre or so that we planted with apples, pears, stone fruits, figs, persimmons and a few more sub tropical types and your in depth descriptions of how to go about pruning different tree types with different methods will be invaluable to us. Thank you so much 🤭

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

That sounds wonderful and so glad you have found them helpful 👍😊

[@diracify]

Thanks for this Jonny. I love the wealth of knowledge that you share so freely. I am trying to establish some fruit trees on our small home garden and on my allotment. Your videos are second to none for detail. Really appreciate the effort you put in.

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thank you! I wish you great success with your fruit trees :)

[@WthrLdy]

Welcome BACK!

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thanks! 😂

[@myrustygarden]

😂😂 scrubby old grass. I only have one little apple tree but I always find these interesting to watch. Have a super weekend, Ali 🇨🇦

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

It's all tufts and mole hills 😂

[@thegreenwoodelf8014]

Brilliant content thank you 🙏🏻

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thanks :)

[@MBland-wx6pd]

Whilst talking about your UFO cherries, you mention that there are some pruning systems which aim at maximising the tendency of fruit clusters at the base of one year shoots. Could you briefly name those pruning systems, please? I have a row of 21 sweet cherries (different varieties) which I am training as a trellis wall, each plant having two stems off a short trunk, the two stems crossing those of their neighbours up to about 2.5 high. We have a great problem with voles (I live in France about 60 miles east of Lyon in an "alpine" area at 500m above sea level) and each year I have to replant some of the trees. Renewal pruning is difficult with this growing design, so I will change to the UFO method. I have been reading about using the UFO method with peach trees (and fig, apple and possibly plum trees). This seems to offer several advantages i.e. dealing with peach leaf curl, pruning, protection from hail. Thank you for this video which is helpful for me.

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

At least the SSA method does this, renewing most of the fruiting wood each season - more so than with UFOs, and relying on basal flower buds that potentially produce fruit of good size and quality. There are some great resources out there on managing commercial high density orchards, but much of this information has not filtered down to the home garden. Here's a link to some useful information: www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/files/PNW_667_Cherry_Training_Guide.pdf

[@suemowat222]

I once read a description of eating figs with seeds as like crunching baby snails.

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Eeeew - it'll be hard not to think of that next time I have some dried figs 😂