Fruit Tree Espalier

Fruit tree espalier

Here are notes on what an espalier is, how to do it at home, and what it is good for. There are very many ways to create the most beautiful garden and this idea is one of the most exceptional for growing trees. Also check out grafting for more fancy tree work.

To espalier a tree is somewhat simple and has a medium cost. At many nurseries an espalier easy to find and less expensive than starting it by yourself, so head on over to Walter Anderson's nursery and support a local business.

The purpose of this beautiful project can be different for each grower, a nurseryman would grow it to increase value, a botanic garden would grow it for it's aesthetic quality, and a home gardener might grow it for a large food production in a very limited space.

The theory behind this practice is to train the tree to follow wires or lattice that you provide support for the tree, in order to one day take the support away and be left with a strong limbed tree in practically any shape you want. Typical shapes are chandelier, straight limbs, and diagonal, but the sky is the limit so to speak.

The goal of a fruit tree espalier is to make a tree with strong limbs that can support a heavy load of fruit. In nature if a tree bears too much fruit on a smaller limb, the limb typically breaks. It "prunes itself". When creating an espalier we do the pruning for the tree, and much pruning is needed for the life of the tree. The tree will never naturally accept the shape of the lattice or wire support system, we must always prune back the growth going away from where we want it. In this sense this is the highest maintenance style of growing a fruit tree.