Espalier plum trees

Hi Alison, plum trees can't really be trained as espaliers. They do not suit the intensive pruning regime needed to maintain a formal espalier shape, and as you may know it is generally best to keep pruning to a minimum with all stone fruit such as plums, to reduce the risk of disease getting into the tree.

If you want to train plum trees against a fence or wall the best form to use if a fan -  with branches radiating out from a short central stem.

The choice of variety is also important, and depends on which direction the wall or fence faces.