How to make an espalier apple tree

Espalier training makes it possible to grow an apple tree in a reduced space, perhaps benefiting from the extra shelter provided by a wall or building. Here are the basic concepts of how to espalier:

• it is essential to work on healthy, well-watered trees
• it is best to work on shoots that are less than a year old, as they are flexible and unlikely to break
• the best period to train an espalier is from May to late September
• you can regulate the vigour of branches by changing its angle: the more vertical a branch, the more vigorously it grows
• you will have to stretch horizontal wires between posts or attached to the wall
• use thin plastic ties to tie the branches to the wires, as these are flexible and will not constrict the branches as they grow

Do you need help with your espalier?

How do I convert an ordinary tree into an espalier?

How do I encourage my espalier trees to fruit?

How do I look after my espalier?

If you need help with these or other questions, write to us at enquiries@realenglishfruit.co.uk

 

Installing the espalier wires

• If you are installing posts in the open, ideally they should run north-south, so that the espalier trees face east-west.
• Posts in the open should be reinforced by wires running down to a soil anchor at each end.
• If you are making an espalier against an existing wall, remember that the aspect of the wall will determine how much sunlight the tree receives, and therefore how well it grows and how much fruit it produces
• If you are stretching wires on a wall or fence, you can use brackets attached to the wall to hold the wires about 4 inches from the wall.
• The wires should be galvanized wire 2.5 mm in diameter, so that it lasts over the years
• Straining bolts can be installed so that the wire can be tightened at a later date if necessary

 

How to regulate the vigour of apple espalier branches

During the formation of the basic framework, you may observe that the branch on one side is more vigorous than its partner on the other side. You can adjust vigour by changing the angle of the branch.

• The more vertical the branch’s direction, the more vigorously it grows.
• You can use a bamboo cane to hold the branch at the desired angle.
• Another way of increasing the vigour of a branch is to make a number of small cuts – to a depth of about a third of its thickness. This operation should be performed in winter.
• If your young tree is growing very strongly, it is best to do your basic tree formation tying later in the season, in other words, from July to September. You will then also have more choice as regards what to tie, and you will be able to see which shoots are too strong and will have to be cut out completely.
• Another stratagem that you can use if the tree is growing very strongly is to leave some branches that you can prune back to, so that if necessary, in late September, you can totally prune out excessively vigorous growth.

 

How to turn a young tree into an espalier

Here is how you can turn a 1-year-old apple tree into an espalier. It will usually take around 4 years to complete the basic training.

First tier of an espalier apple tree

• Plant the tree during the dormant season, so ideally in January or February.
• After planting, prune the tree back to 2 feet above soil level.
• Ensure that there is a 2-foot diameter area of soil kept completely free from grass and weeds around the tree.
• From May, you can start to work on the new shoots. Retain the strongest vertical shoot as the new leader.
• By September, another two shoots should have formed just below the leading shoot.
• If there are more than two shoots, choose the ones at the flattest angle. Select two shoots, one on each side.
• These shoots will form the first layer of branches. Tie them along the lowest horizontal wire of the supporting framework.
• Cut the leader back to about 20 inches above the first tier of horizontal branches. If the tree has not grown enough, it may be necessary to create the first tier during the second growing season.

Second tier of an espalier apple tree

• The second tier may be put into place already in the first year, or in the second or third years, according to vigour.
• When you see additional horizontal side shoots growing further up on the central leader, use two of these horizontal shoots and tie them out along the second layer of horizontal wires.
• If the side shoots are really doing well, don’t cut them back. This will encourage fruit bud formation on those newly-formed shoots.

Third and fourth tiers of an espalier apple tree

• Depending on the vigour of the tree, following the same procedure for the second tier, third and fourth tiers can be constructed.
• Over-vigorous vertical competing shoots should be totally removed.
• In the late summer months, shorter vertical shoots can be pruned back by a third of the total length, and this will encourage them to gradually become fruiting spurs.
• When the fruiting spurs are becoming too complex, they can be thinned out appropriately.