Which apple trees are suitable for espalier?
As a general rule, woody trees are the most suitable for espaliering. Traditionally fruit trees of the citrus, apple and pear varieties have been a popular choices as their stems are hardy and unwanted growth is easier to remove.
How long does it take to grow an espalier apple tree?
five to seven years
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.
Can you espalier an apple tree?
Training apples and pears as espaliers is a space-saving way of growing fruit on a wall or fence. They require little pruning once established and are attractive in blossom and fruit and architectural during winter. Ornamentals such as Pyracantha are sometimes trained as espaliers.
Can you espalier a dwarf apple tree?
It’s a system of growing dwarf fruit trees on espaliers where they are grown in an intensive way and can be easily covered by netting when needed. This system firstly depends on growing small trees on wires, known as espaliering.
Can I grow an espalier fruit trees in pots?
“Espalier plants can be grown in containers as easily as in the ground. If you have a small space, a patio, a balcony even, an espalier can be grown.”
How far apart should espalier apple trees be planted?
between 4 and 8 feet
They grow to around 10 feet tall without other training. These trees would normally be planted between 4 and 8 feet apart. However, as an espalier they can grow as close as 2 feet apart within a row, if kept to 5 feet tall. The general guideline for row spacing is to place rows twice as far apart as tree spacing.
How do you fan train an apple tree?
- In spring, cut back the main stem to about 40cm (15in) to two well-placed branches to form the main ‘arms’
- Erect two canes at 45 degrees and tie the two branches into them.
- Now reduce each ‘arm’ by two-thirds to an upward-facing bud.
How wide do espalier apple trees grow?
Espalier designs dictate placement in the garden When used as a focal point, cordons typically measure 6 feet tall by 6 feet wide, but their design can be modified to fit into any space. The ones trained to the wall in my side garden that serve as a living fence are three-tiered and measure 6 feet wide by 4 feet tall.