Apples, pears, apricots, plums, cherries, almonds and citrus can be espaliered, as well as ornamentals including crabapples, flowering cherries, flowering plums and cotoneasters. Creating your own espalier Position: Select a sunny spot – a north facing wall is ideal.
Can You espalier apricots and plums?
We continuously receive enquiries about the possibility of espaliering stone fruit i.e. apricots and plums, and my reply is that they are far too vigorous but there aren’t any satisfactory dwarfing root stocks available for apricots and plums as there are for apples and pears.
What are the best fruit trees for espalier?
Best of all, espaliered trees produce more fruit and are longer lived. Saves space in your backyard – even a bare wall or fence can be used to grow fruits. More fruit is produced compared to a regular fruit tree. Easy to harvest the fruit, which often hangs much closer to the ground. Figs are one of the best fruit trees for espalier.
How do you train a fruit tree to espalier?
The easiest pattern to follow is a simple horizontal espalier (see diagram), where the plant is trained on three wires. This can be achieved by starting with a fruit tree which has three branches (extra branches can be cut off).
When should I prune my espalier fruit trees?
Generally, fruit trees are pruned back quite hard over winter, to promote great growth and fantastic fruit come spring. This is no different for espaliered trees, although a couple of prunes during the warmer months (growing season) will also assist in maintaining and training, and should result in a great looking espalier in years to come.
How do you prune espalier apricots?
The older trees are already growing into each other from about 2.5 - 3 metres apart, so that in winter when the trees are bare of leaves one can cut away the shoots that are rubbing against each other. On apricots especially it's good to seal up larger pruning cuts with a copper based paint or slurry.
What fruit tree can be espalier?
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 ...
Can all fruit trees be espaliered?
You can try your hand at espaliering any variety of fruit tree, as long as the fruit tree suits your climate, but dwarf or semi-dwarf trees are best for small spaces.
Can you espalier pear trees?
You can espalier a pear tree along a wall or fence, or else along a walkway. In either case, you'll need to first plant the tree. Pick among pear trees suitable for espalier. One of the popular pear trees suitable for espalier is the Kieffer pear (Pyrus 'Kieffer').
Can blueberries be espaliered?
This espalier system is possibly the most versatile to learn as it can be applied where the horizontal cordon espalier cannot ie - apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines, and berry bushes such as blueberries, gogi, currants, citrus and many others. The espalier fence is setup using horizontal wires, with 3-5 wires.
How far apart should espalier fruit trees be planted?
Espaliers – Apples & Pears Apples (use M26 or MM106) & Pears (Quince A best for most varieties) space 3.6-5m (12-15ft) apart or into a similar sized gap.
How long does it take to espalier?
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 train an espalier fruit tree?
Pruning an unfeathered maiden (one-year-old tree with no sideshoots)When planting an unfeathered maiden, cut back the main stem to 30cm (1ft) from the ground.Allow the top three buds to grow out in spring, then train the top one vertically up a cane, and tie the others to canes at 45 degrees to the main stem.More items...
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.
Can you espalier an avocado tree?
6:2614:05Pruning Avocado Trees (High Density Espalier Gardener) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's completely up to you what you do. If this were a commercial avocado farm i probably wouldn't beMoreIt's completely up to you what you do. If this were a commercial avocado farm i probably wouldn't be pruning anything back but this is not it's my garden.
Can you espalier grape vines?
There are numerous ways for an imaginative grower to train the vines or canes of grapes into an espalier — in the shape of candelabra; with vines growing vertically; in a crisscross fashion and more. The basic grape espalier has the canes growing horizontally from a central trunk.
Can cherry trees be espaliered?
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.
Can cherry trees be espaliered?
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.
Can I espalier a peach tree?
Espalier are usually grown on a wall, but a fence or free-standing trellis works too, although some of the advantages of the technique are lost. You may have seen pictures of fancy geometrical shapes called espalier, but for peaches the usual method is a simple fan.
Can you espalier olive trees?
When space is limited, espaliered olive trees create greenery against brick walls. Espaliering involves slowing vertical growth to produce more shoots along a horizontal line, which can then be trained into a variety of shapes.
Can you espalier lemon trees?
You should leave plenty of room between the trunk and the fence or trellis behind. For example, to espalier a Lisbon lemon, just tie the trunk onto the back of the trellis, so that it's sturdy, and always use a flexible tie. Remember that there's always a back and front to a plant.
Step-by-step instructions to train a Fan Espalier
1. Plant your tree. If your tree is a single stick (a "whip"). If the tree you are planting has two or more branches, see the notes below.
Variations in Planting
The tree that's being planted may already be branching. If the height of the branching is suitable, then one can skip a step and already form a shallow "V".
The Benefits
Saves space in your backyard – even a bare wall or fence can be used to grow fruits.
Building the Structure
Ensure to select a wall or fence gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Install the posts and wiring system using eye screws, and thick wires that can be tightened securely with turnbuckles. The wires must be tight. Each wire should be at least 400mm apart to ensure light can penetrate to each branch. Leave 300mm between the wires and the wall.
Planting the Tree
Plant the fruit tree at least 6 inches away from the wall. Take a step back and look at the position of the branches. Start to think how it can be trimmed to fit on a 2 dimensional plane. The idea is to create flat growth. Branches that stick out or don’t fit the desired shape are pruned as they appear.
Correct Espalier Technique
The branches are tied gently to the wire. Any flexible material can be used, including stockings, pieces of cloth, or flexible plant tape. The plant is encouraged to grow along the wire; not forced. Tying it back too tightly only restricts movement and growth. It is better to allow some movement so the branches can sway gently with the breeze.
Filling out the Wires
Continue to fill out the wires one by one, until you reach the top wire. When the horizontal branches reach the end of the wires, prune them off and they will stop growing.
Training Tips for a Fruitful Season
Vertical shoots that appear along the horizontal branches are trimmed back. However, be sure to leave a little 4cm long piece as a ‘fruiting spur’. This is where the fruit forms. Therefore, you want as many fruiting spurs as possible to maximise fruit production.
Living Life on the Edge
Espaliered trees are happier and healthier trees. This is due to more weight distributed on the trunk. As a consequence, there is less weight on the fruiting branches which are supported by the wires. The wall or fence provides protection from strong winds.