I too have found it a bit of a puzzle to figure the best way to train my trees.

I've found on most of them the easiest thing to do is to tie down the limbs. I use the translucent green plastic "tape" (no adhesive), that has just a tiny bit of stretch so I don't worry about it damaging the tree.

In many cases I tie the limbs down to lower limbs on the tree. In some cases I pound a 4 foot steel post into the ground in one or 2 places and strategically tie limbs to that.

I don't like the idea of free-hanging weights because I then can't control the angle. I suppose if you don't want to pound a stake, and you could hang weights that just reached the ground so you don't have to worry about pulling the limb too low.

I don't think I have any trees that I wanted all the way down to 90 degrees. Are you trying for an espalier?

Carla:

I use limb spreaders, but I like Murky's idea of tying branches with plastic tape to temporary steel posts. Other materials could also be used for tying. I see a significant advantage in being able to control both the angle and height of the branch to be trained.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

I use rocks or pieces of broken stepping-stones to weigh branches down. I use a loop of green tape around the branch but finish the rest with cheap twine. The tape is expensive and the twine is practically free. I always leave the weight lying on the ground so as not to accidentally snap a branch. It works quite well, you just have to remember to go out, take the time, and do it, which doesn't always happen.

I have made weights in the past by filling paper cups with concrete and a bent piece of wire.

I currently use heavy duty twine and hemp rope which i pull down to the desired level and tie off onto a post. The post is actually a metal fence post with holes that I drive into the ground outside the tree's drip line. They are super cheap...like a buck each at homedepot or lowes. For smaller, new growth I use clothes pins to push down the small branch. I have been doing this for at least 8 years and it works great!

There is a giant nail (used as camping pegs) that some stores are selling. WalMart sells it for like $1 for a pair of giant nail (see where the tents are sold). You can pound this to the ground to anchor the ropes or garden ties that you use to bend down the limbs. It has a plastic anchor at the end where you can conveniently tie a rope or sturdy garden ties. One thing nice about this giant camping nails is that it can even be pounded unto rocky soil or even asphalt. I love to use these giant nails for camping as it seldom ever gets bent compared to the typical wimpy aluminum pegs.

{{gwi:73313}}

I just planted my trees this spring...when do I start spreading the branches?

Thanks!

Spread them now.