Espalier apple tree

Posts

• treehugger80 Posts: 1,879

  8 April edited 8 April

  it would have been easier for you to show us a photo of the whole tree

  each horizontal 'layer' should have two 'arms' (one on each side)
  

  so, on your vertical leader you need to decided the spacing between the 'arms' of your espalier,
  

  then you need to cut above three good buds, one for each 'arm' and another that will become your new leader.

  0
• mikebez1 Posts: 16

  8 April

  Hi. Can I do that now. What is the flower blossom on the main stems. Do they turn into the branches. 

  0
• treehugger80 Posts: 1,879

  8 April edited 8 April

  there will be new bud forming around the flowers that will form new growth on the branches,
  

  its getting very late to prune, but you might get away with doing the leader now,
  

  also any side branches from the 'arms' needs reducing to two buds/leaves in August

  it also needs to get into the ground ASAP and then once its finished flowering remove all the flowers and fruit as you want it to focus on growing roots not fruiting this year
  

  0
• mikebez1 Posts: 16

  8 April

  Ok thanks. 

  0
• mikebez1 Posts: 16

  11 April

  Hi treehugger80. I am growing scrumptious which is a partial tip bearer. What happens to the horizontal branch growth if it fruits at the end of one. Will it mean that I need to train another branch or will it carry on growing horizontally. 

  0
• treehugger80 Posts: 1,879

  11 April

  the idea is to get side shoots on which fruits form these are called spurs,
  

  in winter you tend to reduce the 'arms' of the espalier by about 1/4, this encourages side shoots to form that the following summer you reduce to three buds (or leaves as its summer) these new side shoots then become spurs that will fruit the following year.

  0
• mikebez1 Posts: 16

  11 April

  Ok thanks. Put one that is partial tip will also grow at the end as well as the spur. Will the arms still grow or will they also grow fruit on their tip. 

  0
• mikebez1 Posts: 16

  11 April

  Will the arms keep growing horizontally if you reduce them by 1/4. 

  0
• treehugger80 Posts: 1,879

  12 April

  if you tie them down yes, make sure you leave the end 20cm or so loose as it will encourage growth
  

  0
• Dovefromabove Central Norfolk UKPosts: 56,646

  12 April

  mikebez1 said:

  Will the arms keep growing horizontally if you reduce them by 1/4. 

  Cut back to a strong bud on what will be the upper surface of the horizontal branch ... that will form a new terminal shoot which should be trained in as a continuation of the horizontal. 

  “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  0