Espalier Plants
Episode: #5 21/04/07
Presenter: Kim Syrus
If you would love to grow more fruit but seem to have run out of space, then it is time to think flat and look at growing your next tree on a trellis. It is a great way to plant a small orchard without crowding out the yard.
Training a tree, shrub or vine to grow against a flat surface is called Espalier and it has been done for centuries. Practically every type of fruit can be trained on a trellis. Grapes are the most widely grown but Espalier apples and pears produce great crops of fruit from top to bottom.
If you want to be a little adventurous, try growing some different fruit on a trellis like cherry guavas, persimmon, white sapote, or even pleach which is a cross between a plum and a peach.
To begin your espalier, choose a spot that gets at least half a days sun. Next, you will need a strong frame, either attached to a wall or free standing with 4 to 5 tight horizontal wires, spaced evenly and around 30 centimetres apart.
Choose a plant that already has two strong bottom side shoots or laterals. Dig a hole directly under the trellis. Place the tree into the hole and position the laterals in the same direction as the wire. Back fill and water in. Now tie the laterals along the bottom wire and secure the main trunk using twine or a flexible material. Other side shoots on the tree can be trimmed off to encourage new growth to develop.
Leave the top until it gets to the highest wire, then trim off. The plant will quickly develop side growth that can then be trained on to these other wires.
Espaliered trees need to be trimmed back 3 to 4 times during the growing season to keep them tidy and flat. Growth above the top wire needs cutting as well to make sure the tree doesn’t get too big and keeps it easy to pick.
Winter pruning is only a general tidy up; snipping off growing ends, tying down stems and checking and replacing ties if necessary.
While you do need to spend a little more time growing an espaliered fruit tree the rewards are well worth it. No matter what size yard you have, there is a place to put up a frame so choose your favourite fruit and get started.
Presenter: Kim Syrus
If you would love to grow more fruit but seem to have run out of space, then it is time to think flat and look at growing your next tree on a trellis. It is a great way to plant a small orchard without crowding out the yard.
Training a tree, shrub or vine to grow against a flat surface is called Espalier and it has been done for centuries. Practically every type of fruit can be trained on a trellis. Grapes are the most widely grown but Espalier apples and pears produce great crops of fruit from top to bottom.
If you want to be a little adventurous, try growing some different fruit on a trellis like cherry guavas, persimmon, white sapote, or even pleach which is a cross between a plum and a peach.
To begin your espalier, choose a spot that gets at least half a days sun. Next, you will need a strong frame, either attached to a wall or free standing with 4 to 5 tight horizontal wires, spaced evenly and around 30 centimetres apart.
Choose a plant that already has two strong bottom side shoots or laterals. Dig a hole directly under the trellis. Place the tree into the hole and position the laterals in the same direction as the wire. Back fill and water in. Now tie the laterals along the bottom wire and secure the main trunk using twine or a flexible material. Other side shoots on the tree can be trimmed off to encourage new growth to develop.
Leave the top until it gets to the highest wire, then trim off. The plant will quickly develop side growth that can then be trained on to these other wires.
Espaliered trees need to be trimmed back 3 to 4 times during the growing season to keep them tidy and flat. Growth above the top wire needs cutting as well to make sure the tree doesn’t get too big and keeps it easy to pick.
Winter pruning is only a general tidy up; snipping off growing ends, tying down stems and checking and replacing ties if necessary.
While you do need to spend a little more time growing an espaliered fruit tree the rewards are well worth it. No matter what size yard you have, there is a place to put up a frame so choose your favourite fruit and get started.
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