ESPALIER - A SPACE SAVING & INTERESTING ADDITION TO THE GARDEN

Is your yard small, do you have a wall or fence you would like to make more interesting? Maybe espalier is for you!

Espalier is simply the growing of a tree, often a fruit tree, so that the trunk and branches lie on one plain. Most often they are grown against a wall but they can be grown against a freestanding trellis or other means of support.

Espaliers may be pruned to a number of shapes. A few examples are illustrated here.

It is best to start your espalier with a 1 yr. tree on a dwarf rootstock. This will allow you to train it into the shape you want and maintain it at a smaller mature size. Growing an espalier is a process of keen observation, pruning and training. The time you prune and where you prune will be dependent upon the shape you choose for your espalier. The training is done by securing the branches to the framework you have selected. I will not go into too much detail here as there are many books available that will explain the pruning and training process in detail. Check the selection of gardening books at your local library.

Growing an espalier may seem like a tedious job - it's not, as most of the work is done in small amounts that easily fit into your gardening routine. The reward will be a visually interesting addition to your garden. In the case of fruit trees it may be the only way to add a productive tree to a small garden. It is also possible to graft another variety onto your original espaliered tree, thus overcoming the necesity of having another tree as a pollinator.

So think about an espalier to hide that bare garage wall, fill in that space at the base of your deck or along a fence. How about a freestanding trellis used as a divider to break up the landscape, or perhaps as a screen around a hot tub? If you have agreeable neighbors you could plant a growing fence between your properties. As you can see there are many uses for espalier, so let your imagination run wild. Do keep in mind that whatever plant you choose for your project should be suitable for the location you are planting in.

Amanda Chedzoy

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