Espalier
“Everybody has a great gardener inside them; they just have to let them out.” — Peter Thevenot, River Road Farms
You can add espalier to your own garden or landscape by planting a tree already trained by professionals, or you can try training one yourself. Peter Thevenot, owner of River Road Farms, in Decatur, Tennessee, and Billy and Angie Moore, who manage the nursery, offer some advice.
They recommend beginning with the horizontal cordon design (above) and with an apple tree, because apple trees are “more forgiving” than other fruit trees.
You will need:
- Wire—12 to 14 gauge
- Eyebolts—1/8 to 3/16-inch (use wall mounts on masonry)
- Drill
- Apple tree—½ to 5/8-inch trunk diameter, any height
- Planting spade or shovel
- Plastic nursery tape
- Chalk
Choose a location with plenty of sunlight; your tree will require a minimum of 6 hours daily. Also, make sure your tree has ample growing space, about 7 feet.
Draw a template on your wall of what you want the mature tree to look like. (Your tree will like the heat generated from your house or masonry wall. This lends itself to quicker ripening). The horizontal cordon will have a central trunk and typically 3 to 4 horizontal tiers, with branches spaced 16 inches apart, extending on both sides. Your template should reflect the complete outline of the tree when it is mature.
Attach eyebolts or wall mounts to the wall, first along the template trunk, one at ground level and one where each tier will begin. Then, evenly spaced along the tiers at 16 to 24-inch intervals.
Thread the wire through the eyebolts, completing the template. This will serve as the support structure for the tree.
Plant your tree so that the trunk is approximately 4 inches from the wall. This will allow for air circulation.
Attach the trunk to the guide wires with plastic nursery tape.
As your tree grows and the branches develop, select those growing at the desired heights (according to your template) and attach them to the wires. Clip off other growth with hand clippers.
You can also build a metal or wood frame for training the tree in a free-standing location.
More tips from River Road Farms:
- Don’t be afraid to try.
- Exercise patience. It takes a minimum of 3 years to train out a full-sized espalier tree.
- Be persistent. Tend the trees regularly—once every three weeks to train or prune as needed.
- Don’t over water. Simply test the soil with your finger to make sure that it’s moist, not wet.
- Don’t prune until after your tree flowers. Stop pruning six weeks before the first expected frost.
- Trees are like children. They have their own personality. They grow at different rates.
- Fall and winter are the best times to plan and plant for next season’s garden.