Espalier is a horticultural technique where fruits or ornamental plants are trained to grow along a wire frame. This technique can be used on plum trees to create an attractive and functional garden feature. Plums are known for their sweet, juicy fruits which make them a popular choice for espalier. The tree can be trained to grow in a variety of shapes and sizes, making it a versatile option for small spaces.
1. Select a plum tree that is still small enough to manage.
2. Choose a location for your tree that gets full sun and has well-drained soil.
3. Dig a hole for your tree that is twice as wide and just as deep as the tree’s root ball.
4. Place your tree in the hole and backfill it with soil, tamping it down lightly as you go.
5. Make sure that the tree is staked securely before you water it in well.
6. Coat the tree’s trunk with white paint to help reflect the sun’s rays and prevent sunscald.
7. Prune your tree as needed to create the desired espalier shape.
Are plum trees good for espalier?
Plums, cherries, apricots, peaches, and nectarines are not suitable for espalier-training, but do very well when trained as fans. Apples and pears can also be trained as fans if required, and whilst fans may lack the formal style of espaliers, they are easier to maintain and a bit more productive.
Espalier is a traditional gardening technique that involves training a tree or shrub to grow flat against a wall or trellis. This technique is often used to create decorative designs or to maximize space in a small garden.
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. Other fruit trees that can be espaliered include figs, peaches, and cherries.
When should I start espalier
Espaliering is a process of training a tree to grow flat against a wall or other support. This process is time-consuming and requires a lot of dedication. These trees aren’t any less work than growing trees traditionally. It’s best to start this process in early spring with a bare root specimen.
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.
What is the best plum tree for espalier?
St Julien A is the best rootstock for plums, mirabelles, apricots, peaches, and nectarines. It is a vigorous rootstock that is resistant to drought and pests. It is also tolerant of clay soils.
Fruit fan-training is a method of training fruit trees in which the branches are spread out in a fan-like shape. This allows for more sunlight and air circulation to reach the fruit, which results in a higher quality crop. Fan-training can be done with a wide range of fruits, including: almonds, apples, cherries, figs, gooseberries, pears, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums and redcurrants.
Can you train any fruit tree as espalier?
Espaliers are a special type of pruned tree that are trained to grow flat against a wall or other supportive structure. Only certain types of trees can be trained as espaliers, as their branches are less likely to break when bent horizontally. These include apple and pear trees. Cherries and plums can also be grown as fans, which is a similar type of pruning. Fans are usually trained to grow in a V-shape, rather than flat against a structure. To create an espalier or fan, the first task is to erect a training system for the tree against a wall, fence or on the edge of a border, wherever the chosen spot may be.
An espalier is a plant that is trained to grow flat against a wall or fence. To espalier a plant, you need to prune it to create a main vertical stem, and then train the side branches to achieve the desired shape. Depending on the plant, this can take a year or two to establish, and it requires regular care. Once an espalier is established, it only needs light pruning to hold its shape.
What is the difference between espalier and pleaching
A pleached fruit tree is tall with a single clear trunk and a fruiting square crown. An espaliered fruit tree has numerous horizontal branches running from a single central trunk. Both are aesthetic pruning forms that can be used for many types of fruit trees.
Trellis systems are often used to train trees for espalier. If you are training your trees against a wall or solid fence, it is best to build the trellis system 10″-12″ away from the wall to allow for air circulation around the tree. When planting trees for espalier, it is best to start with young, unbranched whips, or branched trees with branches starting at 15″-18″ above planting depth. This will allow you to have more control over the shape and direction of growth for your trees.
How far apart should wires be for espalier fruit trees?
When creating an espaliered design, it is important to leave enough space between each wire so that light can penetrate to each branch. For mulberry trees, a distance of at least 400mm between wires is recommended. Additionally, leave 300mm between the wires and any adjacent wall to allow for good airflow and prevent the tree from scraping on the wall.
This is a great way to train your trees to grow in a certain way! By running the wire through the eyebolts and pulling it tight, you can guide the branches to grow in the direction you want them to. Having turnbuckles at the end of each run will help keep the tension on the wire consistent, so the branches can grow evenly.
What is the best rootstock for espalier
While there are a variety of rootstocks that can be used for apples and pears, the most common rootstocks are MM106 for apples and Quince A or Pyrodwarf for pears. For smaller espaliers, M26 or M9 rootstocks can be used for apples, and Quince C can be used for pears.
This spacing between each branch on a tree is known as the “limbing space” and it is typically 16 inches. This may look too wide when the plant is young, but it fills in quickly as the tree matures.
What is the height of an espalier?
Espaliers are a type of tree or shrub that is trained to grow flat against a wall or fence. They typically have three or four tiers, and can reach about 18m (6ft) tall and 3-45m (10-141/2ft) wide. Espaliers are a great way to maximize space in your garden, and can add interest and beauty to an otherwise plain wall or fence.
Fruit trees need to be pruned in summer to restrict their growth. Side growth from the main stems should be cut back to 3 sets of leaves. Shoots pruned in this way last year will have produced side shoots of their own, prune these back to one set of leaves.
Why do you need 2 plum trees
Many plum varieties are self-fertile, but some are not, so you will need to check with the supplier before buying. Trees that are not self-fertile will need a compatible ‘pollination partner’ nearby – another plum tree that flowers at a similar time – to ensure a good crop.
Plums are a stone fruit that are both delicious and beautiful Most plum trees are not self-pollinating, so you will need to plant at least two plum trees to bear fruit. When planting a plum tree, it is important to make sure that the variety you choose will grow well in your climate.
Should I espalier or fan trained
If you want a very formal effect, choose espalier-trained trees. The ninety-degree angles between the stem and the branches create an attractive, regimented appearance, compared with the more variable angles of fan-trained trees. Conversely, for a flowing, semi-formal effect, choose a fan-trained tree.
Most plum trees will reach 16 feet (5 m) at maturity or 14 feet (4 m) if they are a dwarf variety. If you live in a more northerly climate, you may consider planting your plum tree in a location where it will have protection from cold winds, as they are prone to late frost damage.
Do plum trees need pruning every year
Pruning established plum trees is important to do every year in early spring, before bud break. This helps to remove any suckers growing from the rootstock, and to rub out any buds growing on the lower trunk. It also helps to cut out any dead, damaged or diseased wood, and dispose of it as appropriate, removing it from the garden.
When choosing a location for your espaliered tree, remember that location is key. The tree will need about 8 feet of linear space in a well-drained spot that gets full sun. Full sun means the tree will receive at least six hours of light per day.
How do you fan espalier fruit trees
Your tree needs to be strong enough to support the additional weight of the fans, so it’s important to wait until the tree is large enough before you begin training it. You’ll also need to choose a variety of tree that is known to be good for espaliering. Once you have your tree, you’ll need to prune it to create the desired shape. In the first year, you’ll need to prune to where branching will begin. After the first growing season, you’ll need to prune to create two leaders. These leaders will be at an angle, and shoots will usually form along them.
Apples and pears are the traditional choice for espaliering, as their branches are flexible and they fruit repeatedly on the same spurs. A small number of apple and pear cultivars are tip-bearing, but spur-bearing varieties are best for espaliering. Quinces, olives, almonds, crabapples and figs can also be trained.
Warp Up
Espalier is a technique of training a tree or shrub against a wall or fence in a 2-dimensional plane. It is often used in gardens where space is limited.
To espalier a plum tree, choose a young tree that is healthy and has a strong central leader. Cut away any side branches, leaving only the main trunk and leader. Apply an organic fertilizer to the roots in early spring, and water the tree deeply.
Attach horizontal wires to the wall or fence at the desired height and width of the espalier. Space the wires about 18 inches apart. Tie the main trunk and leader to the bottom wire with soft twine, making sure the tree is secure but can still move slightly.
Cut back the plum tree each year in late winter, removing any new lateral growth from the main trunk and leader. This will encourage the tree to produce fruit buds. When the lateral branches are long enough, tie them to the middle and top wires.
Enjoy your espalier plum tree!
Although espaliering a plum tree may seem daunting, it is actually a fairly simple process. With a little time and patience, anyone can create a beautiful espalier.
