WHILE the weather is cold and fruit trees and bushes are resting, they should be pruned. It will not be long before dormant buds show signs of growth. In the case of stone fruits, like cherries and plums, it is essential to complete pruning before there is any sign of life as the cut stems tend to "bleed" quite badly once the sap starts rising.

With soft fruits, like raspberries and blackcurrants, which fruit on the previous season's growth, it is important to cut out as much wood as possible that is more than a year old. With redcurrants, which fruit on spurs borne on old wood, it is essential to leave the established framework.

The same applies to apples, pears and plums. Pruning should aim to create a strong framework of well-spaced branches. Any weak or diseased shoots or branches should be removed.

If you are considering planting fruit in the garden, this is a good time to do so. Trees and bushes lifted directly from the nursery will be completely dormant now and can be moved safely until the middle of March.

During the past few years fruit trees have seen an upturn in popularity, especially those that are grafted on to dwarf rootstocks and are easily grown in a confined space. Where only a single tree can be planted, it is worth considering a family tree. This is one where several different varieties of the same fruit have been grafted onto a single rootstock.

In theory family trees are perfect, as by having different branches of compatible varieties cross-pollination is unlikely to be a problem. However, compatibility stretches a little further than pollen, as each branch must grow and behave in a similar manner to all of the others.

A vigorous variety grafted alongside two weaker kinds will cause great difficulty in management. The tree will be permanently off-balance. So will one which has branches with different fruiting behaviour. At present there is a family apple tree being advertised which comprises the varieties Grenadier, Worcester Pearmain and Charles Ross. All excellent varieties, but Grenadier and Worcester Pearmain fruit on shoot tips, Charles Ross on spurs. A difficult combination to retain as a balanced tree.

Most other apple combinations are likely to work well, for few other varieties are tip bearers and, among pears, all varieties fruit on short spurs.

Plums are not usually treated this way. Grown on a modern dwarf rootstock it is quite possible to cultivate a good quality, heavy-yielding, small tree in a tub. The same applies to modern cherries and bush peaches.

If you are a very keen gardener, then there are alternative methods of training which will permit you to achieve a heavy crop of fruit in a restricted area. Trained trees demand regular and careful attention, but then tiny spaces in corners and along walls and fences can be used to great advantage.

Cordons are fruit trees on a single, double or triple stem with no side branches. Fans are trained flat against a wall in a fan shape, while an espalier has a central trunk from which horizontal branches are produced directly opposite one another. Stone fruits are grown as fans while pears and apples are usually seen as espaliers.

GARDENERS' QUESTIONS

Q. I have a pink climbing rose and an evergreen honeysuckle which have been established about three years and which I would like to move. When should I transplant them?

A. Early spring is going to be the best time. The rose should be no problem, although it must be cut back to no more than 3ft in height if it is to transplant successfully. The honeysuckle will be more tricky. Cut this to within 6in of the ground before moving and hope that it will sprout again.

Q. How soon can I sow round-seeded peas like Meteor?

A. February is soon enough, but only when the soil is in good condition. In order to protect emerging seedlings from water-logging, protect the rows with cloches.

Q. Shoots from my daffodil bulbs are already poking through the soil. Will they be safe or do I need to protect them?

A. Daffodils are quite hardy and require no protection. Shoots which emerge early may become browned at the edges by severe frost, but the flowers are likely to remain in good order.

WHAT'S NEW

* Diana and Sunqueen are white and purple-flowered varieties of perennial spray asters.

* Spooky is a dwarf carnation with deeply cut petals in many shades.

* Royal Star is a variety of star magnolia which can be raised from seed and starts flowering from three years onwards.