Apple and pear trees are the traditional espalier subject because their spurs live for years producing fruit (although certain cultivars are better than others) and they have supple, easily trained new growth, but other fruit trees that sometimes are espaliered include fig (Ficus carica), peaches, cherries and
How long does it take to espalier a tree?
It generally takes five to seven years to create a completed espalier structure and harvest fruit. Until that time, prune out any developing fruit. Your goal in the first few years is to encourage the tree to put all of its energy into growing branches that establish the basic framework.
How do you start an espalier tree?
To espalier, prune to create a main vertical stem, then train the side branches to achieve the desired shape. Depending on the plant, this can take a year or two to establish and requires regular care. Thereafter, an espalier requires only light pruning to hold its shape.
Why do people espalier trees?
Espaliering can help keep your fruit trees in check while still providing you with a bountiful harvest. Implementing an espalier tree still requires maintenance throughout your growing season, but no more than any other backyard fruit tree.
What is the best tree to espalier? – Related Questions
What is the difference between espalier and Pleaching?
A pleached fruit tree is tall with a single clear trunk and a fruiting square crown. An espaliered fruit tree has numerous horizontal branches running from a single central trunk.
How do you maintain espalier trees?
To keep my espaliers looking neat, tidy, and at the desired height and shape, I prune them back regularly about once a month during the growing season until six weeks before the first frost is expected. On trees that produce fruit, I wait until the fruit has set to do any pruning.
Do espalier trees produce less fruit?
Espalier trees typically produce more fruit per foot than ordinary fruit trees at an average 45 pounds per season.
Who invented espalier?
Espalier is an ancient pruning technique, thought to have been invented by the Romans.
What is the difference between espalier and cordon?
The main difference between cordon and esaplier training is that cordon training involves training the tree in one upright direction on a single stem, whereas espalier training means training the tree branches outwards in a horizontal direction.
Do espalier trees need support?
In espalier, tree branches are typically trained flat along the wires of a trellis, which may be of several types, depending on how difficult an espalier project you want to attempt. In addition to a trellis, trees can be supported by a wall, wooden fence, or deer or cattle fencing.
How far should espalier be from fence?
If training against a wall or solid fence, a trellis system should be built 10″-12″ away from the wall to allow air circulation around the tree. When planting trees for espalier, it is best to start with young, unbranched whips, or branched trees with branches starting at 15″-18″ above planting depth.
Can I espalier any tree?
Most apple and pear varieties which produce their fruit on spurs (rather than on the tips of their branches) can be trained as espaliers. Plums, cherries, apricots, peaches, and nectarines are not suitable for espalier-training, but do very well when trained as fans.
How much space does an espalier tree need?
Location is key.
You will need about 8 feet of linear space in a well-drained spot that gets full sun. Full sun means the tree will receive at least six hours of light per day. Espaliered trees can be grown: Against a wall (usually brick or stucco)
Do espalier trees need a wall?
Espaliers need to be trained to a wall or on wires fixed to posts. The posts need to be secured in the ground.
Can you train any apple tree to espalier?
Espalier training is suitable for apples that are spur bearing and on dwarf or semi-dwarfing rootstocks MM106, M26, MM111. These rootstocks are vigorous enough for the tree to grow long branches and reach the correct height, while keeping relatively compact so you don’t have too much pruning to do.
What apple trees are best for espalier?
Best Apple Varieties for Espalier Training
- Early ripening. Adore. Divine. Cox’s Orange Pippin.
- Mid season ripening. Ariane. Baujade. Freyberg.
- Mid-late season Ripening. Lady in Red. Braeburn. Splendour.
- Late season ripening. Belle de Boskoop. Mother. TIP BEARING VARIETIES (not recommended for espalier – except for informal fan shapes)
Is it hard to espalier fruit trees?
Technically yes, but it’s more difficult, and requires more time. It’s best to espalier when a fruit tree is in its first or second year. Older, more mature trees are difficult to train and shape. It can take up to three years to bend mature branches.
Can all fruit trees be espaliered?
Various stone fruit trees lend themselves to espalier techniques. However, different varieties require different care. Plums and apricots both seem to do best as fan shapes but can be trained into a low horizontal hedge as well.