Espalier Trees: The Secret To Growing All The Fruit You Need In The Smallest Space Possible

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Espalier Trees: The Secret To Growing All The Fruit You Need In The Smallest Space Possible

Anyone can have beautiful fruit trees on their property, and it doesn’t have to take up a lot of space.
It is called “espalier trees,” a growing method that goes back to 1400 BC, when it was used in ancient Egypt. Espalier, if you’re curious, is just a fancy French-Italian way to say “grow flat.”
Your espalier apple tree would be pruned in such a way that it would lay flat against the wall or fence. They would be grown similarly to grapes in a vineyard, and it’s not limited to apple trees. This way of training trees works well on just about most trees, including peaches, pears and figs.

There are several reasons homesteaders grow espalier trees:
The trees grow in tight spaces.
The heat of a wall protects them from frost.
They are easy to pick.
You can grow more varieties of trees in a given area.
Many people consider them artistic and visually appealing.
One other great reason to grow espalier trees is to provide air flow, which helps prevent disease. You also have an easier time to inspect the tree and fruit, making it simpler to maintain and pick off pests you may not have seen in a full tree.

Dwarf and semi-dwarf trees are preferable. Spur-bearing apple trees are the best fruit producers when grown this way. Their slower growth and stature make it a great candidate. These trees will produce as much fruit as a full-sized tree.
This growing process can take years to complete, but that is just the nature of the game when dealing with fruit trees. In addition to the three, here is a list of supplies you will need:
Pliers
Wire cutter
Shovel
Pruning shears
12-gauge wire
3/16-inch eye bolts
Masonry wall mounts for eye bolts if using a concrete wall to anchor
Drill gun with 3/16-inch drill for eye bolts
Below is how you can espalier at home. As a quick note, the basics of the process are to prune the tree into the desired shape, which is typically three arms on each side. Get as basic or creative as you like.
Mark the wall that you will have your tree against. Make one vertical line (about five-feet long) representing the tree, and then make three horizontal lines (12-feet long) bisecting the vertical line (so you have six feet on each side) representing your branches…..More Here

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Espalier Trees: The Secret To Growing All The Fruit You Need In The Smallest Space Possible