Cordon fruit trees are simply trees grown as a single stem, with all the fruit swelling on short laterals immediately off this central stem. Cordons are normally grown at a 45-degree angle for the simple reason that this increases the length of the stem, and hence fruits, at picking height.

What is the difference between a tree and a cordon?

A cordon is a tree which has been trained to grow in a very small space, and is usually planted leaning at an angle of 45 degrees – normally you would plant 3-4 or more together in a row to achieve an ornamental effect. … It will need a permanent tree-stake to support it, as trees on M9 cannot support themselves.

What does a cordon apple tree look like?

An old cordon looks like a good-sized trunk with no significant branches, but masses of stubby little side shoots. Because there are no major branches, cordon fruit trees cannot crop as heavily as other fruit tree forms, but they are still capable of carrying up to 10kgs of fruit per tree.