The backyard fruit tree is an Australian tradition but depending on the size or shape of your garden, a big ol’ tree might not be appropriate
This is the art of espalier, a technique that has been practised in Europe for centuries.
Reasons to have an espalier in your garden
There are several excellent reasons that you might consider trying your hand at espalier – the art of growing and pruning trees as two-dimensional specimens, rather than three.
One is that your garden is small and trees, even fruit trees, take up space that can be put to better use, such as accommodating a sun lounge on which you can bliss out in the great outdoors.
Another is if you have an ugly, bare fence, but value the privacy it offers.
Bonus – because it’s exposed to more sunlight than traditional trees, the fruit ripens sooner!
The best trees to espalier
Apple trees thrive when espaliered, as do pear, citrus and stonefruit. You can also espalier ornamentals such as camellia, crepe myrtle, ginkgo and Japanese maple.
Charlie shows us two different type of espalier techniques, one fixed version using grow wires against a fence, the other will be a pot version using a lattice backing, perfect for the homeowner or tenant who doesn’t have much space.
Easy steps to creating an espalier frame
Gather your supplies
- Very young tree
- 3mm stainless-steel bottle screws
- 3mm galvanised wire
- 3.2mm copper swage
- 3mm stainless-steel rope thimbles
You will also need
- Tape measure
- Chalk
- Level
- Drill
- 3mm bit
- Spanner
- Cloth
- Crimpers
- Wire cutters
Safety notes
When operating power tools, wear safety glasses, a mask and earmuffs, and tie your hair back. When appropriate, wear gloves and protective clothing.
Step 1
Choose your plant location and espalier line design, then measure and draw line design on fence with chalk and level.
Step 2
Predrill holes at start and end of lines, and at about every 300mm in between. Screw in screw eyes and tighten with spanner. Wipe away chalk.
Step 3
Attach a bottle screw to screw eye on one end of line. Feed wire through other end of bottle screw, loop end of wire through a swage, then seal with crimpers.
Step 4
Run wire along line and through screw eyes. Hook a thimble through the end screw eye, loop wire around thimble and through screw eye. Thread end of wire through swage, and crimp swage to seal.
Step 5
Tighten bottle screw until wire is taut. Cut excess wire with wire cutters.
Step 6
Repeat Steps 3-5 for all remaining lines of your espalier design.
Espalier line design
Choose a design that suits your garden style. Here are some simple frames to get you started!
Easy steps to training your tree
Gather your supplies
- Soft ties
- Twine
- Very young tree
- Mulch
You will also need
- Spade
- Secateurs
Step 1
Dig a hole for tree in soil below centre wire of espalier design, as deep as its pot and twice as wide.
Step 2
Remove tree from pot, tease out or trim roots and place in hole.
Step 3
Return dug-up soil and gently firm down.
Step 4
Cut off branches growing below the lowest horizontal line of design and also higher branches that don’t fit pattern.
Step 5
Gently train branches along wires, securing with soft ties or twine every 20cm.
Step 6
Water and mulch.
Step 7
As branches grow, tie to wire; cut off growth that doesn’t fit pattern.
Espalier in a pot
If you rent or live in an apartment with only a balcony for a garden, create your espalier in a pot, using miniature or dwarf plants. Find a large container, about 3 times larger than the pot the plant came in, and fill with quality potting mix.
Buy an appropriate size trellis or frame from your local hardware store, and put in pot. Plant tree, following planting, trimming and tying steps on opposite page, and water well.
You might also like:
How to get the most out of your citrus plants
10 annoyingly common citrus diseases and pests
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