1 of 4

Write now Article Tools

Espalier fruit trees offer a great way of growing fruit in smaller gardens because you use the vertical space by training the tree on wires in a fan shape or in horizontals up a wall or fence.

Select a vigorous variety of your chosen fruit and a dwarf root stock. For instance, you might choose ' Lord Blenheim' Apple on M27 root stock. The root stock imparts vigour, disease resistance and size so using a dwarf root stock means you can get a variety which normally grows on a large tree on a smaller sized plant. Dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstocks are available for a huge range of fruit and the range increases yearly. Choose a variety of fruit which bears it fruit on spurs rather than at the tips because otherwise, when you prune the branches to train them , you will lose a lot of the fruit buds.

First choose the site. The site should be sunny and warm - a south west facing wall or fence is ideal. Start with a young tree because they are easiest to train- if you try to train an older tree you will find you have problems. Plant the whip or maiden tree with its roots around 1m away from the wall in a good sized planting hole, add some general purpose fertiliser to encourage good growth and use a mulch to help retain water. Planting is best carried out in October-November. Take the leader and shorten it to two thirds of its length (on a maiden tree).

The following season, fix two horizontal wires about 60cm and 90cm from theground. Use spacers so the wires do not directly touch the fence or wall. This allows air to continue to circulate behind the foliage , thus avoiding many diseases. Take the two lateral branches which will have grown and tie them onto the wires. Prune to around two thirds of their length, removing at an outward facing bud.

For the next 3,4 or 5 years do the same, tying in each new set of laterals and eventually you will have achieved the size of tree you want. Then remove any new growth late spring. Pruning twice a year to remove crossing or old branches is all that is needed once you have the size and shape you want.

You can grow several espaliered trees in a relatively small space and they can create an incredibly attractive focal point with blossom in Spring, leaves in summer followed by fruit of different colours and you can grow more than one type of fruit as well. You could have apples, cherries, pears and plums all of which suit espalier growth, so long as spur bearing varieties are chosen.

Learn more about this author, Sammy Stein.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Growing an espalier fruit tree?
We want to hear your view. Write now!