Espalier advice :-)
Marmot71
Posts: 9
in Fruit & veg
Hi, I’m after a bit of espaliering advice please :-) I’ve bought myself a maiden pear & apple with a plan to espalier them. I’ve put them in the ground but I’m panicking slightly about the first pruning that I need to do. Attached are a couple of photos where I’ve marked up what I’m planning to chop off! Does this look correct? On the pear I’m a bit unsure where I should be chopping at the top to start my new leader..... on the apple I think it’s more obvious which bud I should cut above.... Many thanks for any advice/guidance :-) 0
Posts
What you bought was a feathered maiden apple and a feathered maiden pear. The one year old stick grew side branches last year. Your trees are two years old now.
Harry Baker’s book “Growing Fruit” explains what to do more clearly and succinctly than I can.
Take a look at this page
For now, ignore the text on the left which talks about a maiden tree. A one year old stick. Look at the drawing and the caption. This is what you have, a feathered maiden with side shoots. Don’t worry about “November”, now is fine.
Now look at the text on the right. Second and subsequent years. This is you. Follow the instructions there.
Now go and buy a copy of the book. It’s the best one that I know of.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.