Spotted! Delightful and Space-Saving Espaliered Fruit Trees
From saving space to softening a wall, espaliered trees are an amazing way to grow fruit
There’s nothing like biting into a fresh, juicy piece of fruit that you nurtured yourself. While growing fruit trees can require lots of labour and plenty of space, the espalier method is a novel way to grow fruit that saves on space and looks pretty stunning too. Here are some of the advantages of this age-old method.
Soften a wall
The other wonderful thing about this method is that it performs another task – by espaliering the tree against a wall, it has a softening effect on a building.
The other wonderful thing about this method is that it performs another task – by espaliering the tree against a wall, it has a softening effect on a building.
This makes it a wonderful choice for a brick wall near an entry.
With the luscious fruit hugging the surface, any wall is going to look softer around the edges, and much more welcoming.
Even the most prosaic fence can be given a lift with an espaliered fruit tree.
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Natural warming
The wall itself can perform an important role in the tree’s growth and the ripening of the fruit. A brick or stone wall will absorb the sun’s warmth and act as a heat bank, reflecting this warmth onto the tree.
The wall itself can perform an important role in the tree’s growth and the ripening of the fruit. A brick or stone wall will absorb the sun’s warmth and act as a heat bank, reflecting this warmth onto the tree.
The espalier method is thought to have become popular in France around the 16th century. Because the wall provides extra heat to the tree, this is an advantageous way to grow fruit in a fairly temperate climate. In milder parts of Australia, using this method can help with growing fruit that might normally require warmer temperatures.
Tip: Select a wall that’s in a warm and sunny spot; north-facing is ideal if you’re in a temperate climate.
Tip: Select a wall that’s in a warm and sunny spot; north-facing is ideal if you’re in a temperate climate.
Natural screening
Espaliered fruit trees can make remarkable (and functional) screens between one area and another in your garden, or you can use them to screen out a shed or another aspect of your property.
Espaliered fruit trees can make remarkable (and functional) screens between one area and another in your garden, or you can use them to screen out a shed or another aspect of your property.
Break a border
Or you can create natural divisions and section off parts of the garden with neat and pretty fences to espalier fruit or other plants.
Or you can create natural divisions and section off parts of the garden with neat and pretty fences to espalier fruit or other plants.
Provide shade
On a pergola or arbour, the espalier method can look stunning, while also providing much needed shade around Australian gardens.
On a pergola or arbour, the espalier method can look stunning, while also providing much needed shade around Australian gardens.
Easier and faster harvesting
While the espalier method takes skill and practice, it’s often easier to access the tree for pruning and harvesting than on a traditional fruit tree. The fruit can often ripen earlier too, because more sunlight can penetrate the branches.
Tip: It can take up to three years for your espaliered fruit tree to take off and bear fruit. But be patient and the results will be worth the wait.
The 6 zones of permaculture
While the espalier method takes skill and practice, it’s often easier to access the tree for pruning and harvesting than on a traditional fruit tree. The fruit can often ripen earlier too, because more sunlight can penetrate the branches.
Tip: It can take up to three years for your espaliered fruit tree to take off and bear fruit. But be patient and the results will be worth the wait.
The 6 zones of permaculture
It’s fun and creative
Because you are ‘training’ the tree into position, you can create different shapes and sizes according to the area you have, or choose from different aesthetic styles. Some are formal such as the one pictured here, some less so. Once you get the hang of this method, have fun and exercise your creativity.
Tip: Make major cuts and prune back in winter when the tree is dormant, and this will stimulate growth for spring. Prune in late spring and summer to train the tree into desired shape.
Because you are ‘training’ the tree into position, you can create different shapes and sizes according to the area you have, or choose from different aesthetic styles. Some are formal such as the one pictured here, some less so. Once you get the hang of this method, have fun and exercise your creativity.
Tip: Make major cuts and prune back in winter when the tree is dormant, and this will stimulate growth for spring. Prune in late spring and summer to train the tree into desired shape.
Tell us
Have you used the espaliered method to grow fruit? Please let us know the results (or show us with photos) in the Comments.
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Have you used the espaliered method to grow fruit? Please let us know the results (or show us with photos) in the Comments.
More
Browse more backyard design ideas
You may not have vast tracts of land to plant yourself an orchard, but you may have a spare wall, a fence, shed or other surface on which it’s possible to espalier a tree. In a limited space, the espaliered tree will take up a lot less volume but can still yield plenty of fruit.
Tip: Fruit trees that lend themselves well to the espalier method include apple, peach, pear, cherry, grape, fig and plum.
How to create an orchard in a small garden