muppets and musings

Growing fruit trees using an espalier system involves using dwarf trees pruned to grow along a wire trellis. Many trees are suitable for this system and it can be extremely productive.

The following is a basic overview and I have included a video for a more detailed explanation.

You may have these questions.
Why espalier fruit trees onto a wire frame? Don’t they look more beautiful as a tree? Isn’t it more natural to let them grow as a tree?

Most fruit trees are the product of hundreds and sometimes thousands of years of selection by growers. They often only vaguely resemble the original species they were cultivated from and the result is thousands of different vareities.
Increased suitability to climatic or soil conditions
Larger and or better taste
Better keeping qualities

It can also result in weaker plants, more pest and disease prone and shorter lifespan. Do your homework and get the best trees for your needs.

Many fruit trees we purchase from the nursery are actually two trees grafted together. One half is for fruit production the other half for root production. Literally two trees grafted together. Very useful, not very natural. The vast majority of fruit you consume would been grown in this way.

Most fruit trees are also substantially pruned in order to increase their production and make them easier to harvest and manage.

So, hopefully that answers the is it natural question - No it’s not natural but I think it is ok, and has been going on for a very long time!)

So espaliered trees on a wire is an aesthetic issue. Done well it think the trees can be very beautiful, you can incorporate art, and plantings of flowers and companion plants under and around the espaliered trees.

Certainly you can increase the fruit production by using an espalier system. This is why the system deserves more attention. As block sizes get smaller, the system becomes more useful. It also makes the trees much easier to net so that you are not locked in a constant struggle with the the local wildlife.

Espaliered Fruit Trees published by GardenGuy06 27 February 2008
Click on the movie window to go to the YouTube source

~ by Paul Lock on July 21, 2009.