How To Espalier Fig Trees - Complete Guide From Start To Finish

This is a complete garden guide on how to espalier fig trees. While this video focuses on growing figs, the principles can teach you how to espalier fruit trees - any fruit tree. This method allows us to grow fruit trees for high density gardening to maximize production in small spaces. This video discusses:
1. How to build a trellis out of posts and airplane cable that is strong but inexpensive.
2. Selecting branches for espalier form.
3. Tying fig trees against the supports for proper form.
4. Pruning fig trees for espalier.
5. Pinching fig trees to encourage proper branching.
6. Growing high density fig trees.
The gardening tips in this video will help you grow more figs in small spaces than you ever thought possible. If you have any questions about growing fig trees, or growing fruit trees in general, please ask them in the Comments below.
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© The Millennial Gardener

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Check out the FOLLOW-UP PRUNING VIDEO here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nae8aYN5o7yaoK8

[@mouhcinezahi7281]

people in my country side here in morocco tend to keep fig trees away from houses becaus their roots grow wild they can damage your house

[@nichellewalton2926]

Oh...😮 Thank you for the warning! I will keep mine in a pot!

[@kimb8046]

How far away should it be planted?

[@chasityfreitas133]

I am so grateful you've made this video! Your espalier frame design, and all the information has been invaluable to me! Excited to see the future progress.

Exactly the information I needed and so well articulated, too. Not a word wasted.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching.

[@robertbrawley5048]

Turnbuckle are a lot of work and a lot of turnbuckles . I like what is called wire vices that grip like Chinese finger cuffs the more tension on the wire the tighter the wire vice grips . I have only seen them used on wood post in KZbin videos in professional and armature setups. They typically have to be ordered online . Here is a video where the host shows installing wire vices at about the 6:52 time mark . I have never used them kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqCXXqidZ75kbbc

[@ardenthebibliophile]

Is "cup hook" different in your area? Around here that's an eye hook or eye bolt. A cup hook here is more like a.. well like a hook. Open on one side.

[@MerriDavey-cb6lm]

Hi! Love this video thank you! Please could you do a video on ‘pinching’ the ends of your fig trees?

[@harmonyhomeandgarden]

Great video! Just learned about this technique and I’m about to move into a house with a smaller size backyard. I really want to grow fruit trees and this is a great solution. Thanks!!

[@shughes4135]

I've been wanting a demonstration of how to do just this with my fig and other fruit trees - this is so clear and easy to follow - thank you very much. Can I grow plum, pear, and persimmon trees exactly the same way, with the branches out at right angles like this, and cutting them back to the cordon each year? I live in New Zealand.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Sorry for the late reply. Yes, you can grow literally any tree this way, even non-fruit trees. Espalier is simply a method of tying down wood to a guide wire or support of some kind while it's young and bendable before it hardens. You could espalier a pine tree if you wanted to! These trees, while the wood is young and green, are so influential that you could spell out letters of the alphabet with espalier if you wanted to.

[@coco10060]

Great video! Any videos with the second tier established, with figss, or even how to prune the espalier when winter arrives? That'll be something I will be interested in to see.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

The trees are not old enough yet to have produced a second tier, so making this espalier series will be a 2-3 year long project. I am in the process of pruning trees and making the next video in the series, which is pruning second-season trees to build the second tier. I hope to complete this video within a month.

[@TuriFier]

I think It's not necessary for second tier, one tier is enough. Next year in winter you must prune all vertical one year canes and leave 2 buds for every spur, like grapevine cordon

[@TuriFier]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gprRqn94jsx5qbM

[@beebob1279]

My zone they die back almost every year so this won’t work on figs. However I’m looking at fruit trees to do this

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you see dieback, yes, you are correct, this will be a no-no. However, this will also work very well with apples, peaches, pears, plums, etc. You can search photos of them grown espalier and they're beautiful.

[@SaltydogNC]

I am so glad I found your channel. I'm on the border of 7B/8A in the piedmont of NC and I just ordered a couple of figs for fall delivery. I needed to keep them small, and this is great information. I really enjoy your presentation style and thoroughness. Subscribed!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you. Figs should do pretty well where you're at. They do very well here in the Wilmington area, aside from the freak late hard freeze we had on 4/3. But that will wreck any fruit tree that leafs out early! Thanks for subbing and watching.

[@lindatran845]

The most thorough instructions for setting up the espalier trellis on KZbin!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@buipham123]

I don’t have a vegetable garden but I watched the video in its entirety bc it was so well done. I appreciate the excellent explanation and pronunciation, and you only said what was necessary. Nice job!

[@mariacorazonlua2532]

Hi , thank you for this video. What happens when the branches grows too thick after many years. Can you still maintain the espalier?

[@LaFanfanTulipe]

Too much work! When I was a little girl, in France, there was a little farm that belonged to the orphanage. There was a bunch of fig trees against the wall. They were enormous with figs all over the place. I would climb the trees and stuff my face with those wonderful figs. I'm now 76 years and live in America. I planted two fig trees one three years ago and the other four years ago. I believe that I'm going to have plenty of figs with branches all over the place like in that little farm and will pick them up by either taking a ladder or plainly climb the trees like in the old days. I just have no time to line them up like in the video. I must admit that I love the tree set up of that video but I'm not strong enough to pull the cables as tightly as the man. Inch 'Allah!

[@cdinaz]

Great guide, I'm going to use this for my VdBs, Panache and Brown Turkeys. Would it make sense to espalier a san pedro type like a Desert King that is harvested mainly for its breba crop?

[@rajeke]

Fun drinking or smoking game, Every time he says “ I’m going to” take a rip or chug. Just giving ya shit buddy. You know I love ya. You’re my go to guy. My wife is starting to dig you too…. Wait. Hollll up

[@hongbeaven4020]

Thank you so much, I am so glad, found this video. Your instructions are very clear step by step with list of materials/tools. So appreciated, I have no space in my backyard but so inspired with your figs growing and we love figs so we’ll try the espalier method. One question is Can we do espalier with figs trees planting in containers?

[@patriciagruber5905]

Please bought house fig tree well established and well over 15' new growth hefty leave them alone and concentrate on pruning old wood where n how? Very healthy. Wish I could send a pic. @12-15 yrs. Thank you.

[@keithberry366]

Great video. I would like to plant my fig trees in the espaulier method. What distance would you suggest between rows if I plant numerous rows of 6 plants? Thank you. I learn more every video!

[@KevanArt]

our Brown Turkey went into the ground today, Oct 8, 22 in NJ. We would like to espalier. Not sure how to prepare for winter. Our grower wraps his trees loosely in carpet padding then burlap. Easy enough this year with our 3 branches about 6 ft tall. But once it is spread on cables, then what? Any tips?

[@donaldmotichek5829]

Hi new subscriber here, I’ve been watching your videos about figs and owari satsumas. I want to know how you keep the grass from growing around your trees along the fence? I want to plant a few figs along my fence also

[@michellehurt4107]

Thanks very much for all the detail in your explanation. You did a fantastic job explaining each step. I'd love to see a winter update.

[@2003cd]

New to fig trees- would this work in Minnesota zone 4b? Or am I stuck with potting all trees? Plus just bought some from Burpees and are real small things plants.

[@pasqualedigiacomo3922]

Watching your video today could not have come more timely for me as my goal this year was to transfer a good number of my containerized fig varieties into the ground and I do want to employ this espalier method. The details you provided are absolutely perfect and I know I can follow them to a tee. I just have a few questions that I would like your response on. 1- If I want to have 3 horizontal wires to accommodate 3 condors per tree & am willing to drill my own holes in the u post would your recommend a horizontal spacing of 12 inches"? 2- When the season is over, do you cut back the entire vertical growths that emanate from the condors all the way back to the very node leaving no stub? If so, what guarantee is there that that node will produce another shoot from it the following year. Are the nodes just programmed by nature to do just that?

[@frankietiles]

Nice job I’m in red bank NJ-starting some pears and apples Same way figs die back every year 🙁✌🏼✌🏼🇺🇸

[@airlar4857]

Now that you have a couple years under your belt with this project, do you still suggest this form even though freezing can cause die back to the ground and force a fresh start?

[@scmassey]

thanks so much for such an informative video. I am going to build this trellis this weekend. I try to buy from your links to support you and to thank you for sharing. I also like a link so that I am sure to get what I need. Can you share with us the size of the hooks and bolts/washers you used on the post. if not an Amazon link then just the size. Thanks a million

[@333ANGELLOVE]

This was interesting. My Dad just gave me a fig tree yesterday and i was wondering how close to the fence i could put it. Good to know i can go pretty close. Thanks

[@stevenhelm393]

How do promote lateral branching? I only have two growth areas and I need three (2 for laterals and one for upward growth). Do I make a nick in the trunk above a node?

[@mohammedkarim8819]

Hi great video. Quick question...you tied 2 branches to the wire and centre branch to the cane. What do you do with any other branches. I see you left them but do you cut them at the end of the season. Thanks

[@VelvetandToads]

This is the perfect How-to. Impressive. Dying to try this.

[@vadymvolodko7252]

Woodglut comes with very useful plans with all the details you need.

[@stevenhelm393]

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for! Explained simply and succinctly. Thank you.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks for watching! I posted a follow-up 2 weeks ago where I pruned them first year if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nae8aYN5o7yaoK8

[@stevenhelm393]

@The Millennial Gardener how do I promote more lateral branching? My apple espalier only has two growth areas. I need three (2 laterals and 1 upright). Please help.

[@srqpdq6697]

Awesome video ! Question : Do you need that many trees? Seems even one or two would cover the span of the wire easily ?

[@RainbowWarriorChris]

I will be definitely waiting for the update video but I'm guessing it's going to be a while

[@DucPham-ok5ko]

I"m living in MN (zone 4 B). I got some Asian pear trees. I watched a lot of clips about pruning. I'm confusing about that. What's different between summer pruning and winter pruning? which one for more fruit and which one for shape

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I think the confusion is because we live in very different climates. I prune my trees many months before you do, because here, the trees start budding in February. Instead, look at it as "dormancy pruning." You should be doing the bulk of your pruning with most trees when the tree is dormant before they begin budding. Don't do your pruning in the dead of winter when it is cold. Do your pruning when the bad cold is over, but before they wake up for the spring. Shaping is what you do when the tree is young. Usually, after the first few years, you won't have to prune for shape anymore and you'll just "tip prune" or cut the fruiting branches back closer to the cordons to encourage more branching at the tips, and therefore, fruit set.

[@gregrandol2801]

In my first work I always used Woodglut plans.

[@WadcaWymiaru]

Man, you should make a better soil for your fig!!! I can tell you a recept for soil that: - double the yield from the field - remove need for mineral fertilizers - last forever - keep the plants helthy FOREVER! *ONCE DONE!* (this is NOT a joke!)

[@GraftingTactick]

This video is the best one I've ever come across, very informative, loads of useful pro-tips, I definitely subbed and like 👍 🌿🌿🌲🌴🕊☘

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks for the sub! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@PlantLiterate]

Hyper-meticulous. Thank you.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks for watching!

[@janetg2508]

Obviously, a well thought out plan. Very interesting to watch and very well explained. Great job😎🌵

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks you! Thanks for watching.

[@maunukuratokorangi9217]

​Gardenem I'm😅

[@floridaediblegardens2753]

What fig varieties would you recommend for espalier? Does it need to be one with breba crop? Which varieties would you stay away from? Zone 9a NW Florida. Thanks

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You can espalier any fig, or any tree for that matter. You can espalier a pine tree if you really wanted to! All they're doing is being tied to the guide cable, so any tree can be shaped into any shape your heart desires, for the most part. I am currently espaliering 6 varieties, and I have 6 or 7 more that I'm putting in ground in spring and I'll be espaliering them as well. I do not grow figs for brebas, so that's not something I consider. If you wanted breba crops, you'd have to modify your pruning schedule.

[@james134542]

At the end of the year do you cut the branch flush with the cordon? Or do you cut it back to a few nodes?

[@dwylhq874]

Great video. Curious why you planted the trees quite far (1m / 3ft) from the fence? 💭 Thanks. ❤

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Fig trees will grow branches in all directions and you'll need room to fit behind the tree to prune them.

[@maryelizabethcalais9180]

Hi, I've watched this video over and over. Good info... I can't climb a ladder anymore so this is perfect. I DO have a couple of questions now that I'm propagating my fig trees to cook, share, and sell the fruit and the new trees. With method, it appears that new branches grow out front and back of the espaliered horizontal branches. Maybe a stupid question, but I finally got the nerve to ask:):):). Plz enlighten this 80yr ole Lady who Loves Gardening :)

[@stevenscordato6270]

Hey how are you love your posts question what should I do with small shoots that start growing off the main trunk wait till tree goes dormant or I can remove them now also can I remove new shoots from the earth that are attached to the rootball thanks

[@TheMillennialGardener]

steven Scordato it depends if you want the tree to branch out at those points. If you want branching, you can leave the shoots that are placed in the spots where you want the branching and remove all the rest. Personally, I would remove any shoots this late in the year because they’ll suck energy from your tree and delay ripening of the fruit. You may want to check out my video on pinching as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpuvlnyoaryiarM

[@catalystcody4949]

Pleasantly surprised. Liking your channel a lot. You seem to have a niche on explaining, simplifying what others are not. Look forward to watching the updates on this espalier. 👍

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you. I try to explain exactly why I do what I do instead of just showing "how to." Teach a man to fish. Thanks for watching!

[@thatDIYlife]

Nice video. How much space would you leave between rows if you were doing more than one row?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you're going to grow them espalier, the branches will not grow perpendicularly (you'll prune them off), so technically, you would only need enough space for you to walk through. If you're meticulous about it, I would estimate you could get them as close as 4-6 feet or so...but you have to stay on top of things. Here is a good sample image: th.bing.com/th/id/R.d571462aa7d5d30162e12b04bc64be8e?rik=GVhHv0KnXiEAlQ&riu=http%3a%2f%2ffigs4fun.com%2ffpix%2fFP739-02.jpg&ehk=dGwfleHE%2f8H8coP6w%2fDceKZo5WSRlgEci1O4DBGULAY%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0

[@ashotmm]

Two questions: 1. Would the end U-posts not tilt under the cable tension? 2. Would this espalier work for grapes, or do I need 4×4 wood posts at the ends?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

1. The trellis is not supporting any weight. This isn't like a tomato vine, where the trellis must hold the weight of the tomato against gravitational forces. Because trees are made of hardwood, they defy gravity. You're only tying the wood down to the cable to direct its growth, so it isn't supporting any downward force. Therefore, the cable does not need to carry high tension. It just needs to be "straight enough" to use as a guide, so simply don't torque your cable hard enough to pull the U-posts. 2. Yes, this is a common method of growing grapes. I'm actually following the "cordon form" that wineries often grow grape vines. Since grapes are vines, they will apply tension to the cable, so you will need to make sure your U-posts are pounded into the ground well enough because the cables will have to support some amount of weight. However, grape vines are pretty light. U-posts should be adequate as long as you embed them about 18 inches deep and don't over-torque your guide cables.

[@danielle2451]

I'm tempted to do this, but it's fighting with my lazy

[@jgreen8298]

Why are you pinching rather than just pruning off?

[@rebeccaberlin4141]

So after you pick your 3 main branches and pinch off the ends, do you eventually cut off all the non main branches? How do you prune annually once you establish your main trunks?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm putting together an entire series on this subject. If you check out this collection of videos, it should answer your questions: kzbin.info/aero/PL1gY7BoYBGIFlbg2ri_7gCJPhXaZ_nOvy

[@firecloud77]

Excellent info. I'm going to try this with my three hazelnuts trees that I bought this spring that are still in pots.

[@charlescoker7752]

Will you be doing the next work on the trees. in July 2021? Will you trim off the branches that are facing out into the yard. That are not tied to the cable?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I have a pruning update video here that a made a few weeks ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nae8aYN5o7yaoK8 I will be running a second cable this summer and developing a double cordon.

[@austinwilloughby3439]

There is a better tool to crep those things that loop your cable! I'm a poultry grower and we have cables to hold our water and feed lines up that we let up and down ! We bought it at Georgia Poultry in Georgia. Great videos! Keep making! Thanks do much! Marlene in SC

[@1rstjames]

I'm working on setting up an espalier food forest integrated into a native-dominant regeneration project. You're video is great reinforcement on why I'm trying to do what I'm doing.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad you found it helpful. I'm currently putting together a first-year pruning video for espalier, but it's a long-term project that I'm pruning over awhile.

[@petershu1049]

That's awesome you did a great job

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you. I appreciate you watching.

[@superdave336]

Great video and exactly what I was looking for. Good detail and 'how to" information on the trellis as well as espalier fig trees. I think I'm going to do this on a fence line myself. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@moniquegebeline4350]

Damn your videos are so freaking articulate and amazing. You explain every single step and WHY. Now I have to try this next year.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I get frustrated when videos leave out steps, so I try to be as complete as possible. The downside is sometimes the details make the videos drag on. I'm glad you appreciate it! Thanks for watching.

[@moniquegebeline4350]

@@TheMillennialGardener same here and I love that you 1. List everything in your Amazon store but 2. You also show close ups of each part (and I’m able to pause the video and take snapshots).

[@deporter8473]

Great video! I'm relocating to NW Florida with a small yard and planning to espalier my newer/smaller trees. Potting the trees bc I'm concerned about nematodes and soil quality. Do you think this will work with potted trees? Thanks!

[@aw5794]

I live in Texas in zone 8. I have three fig trees in pots I'd like to espalier. I also have a fig tree that's 10 years old. Many of the branches die down to the ground in the winter. How do I choose which branch to espalier?

[@johnmalt9921]

Do you need to replace the cordons each year, like grapes? Or, will they continue to produce fruit off latent buds?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

The cordons are the arms that are tied to the trellis. Cordons don’t get relaxed, even in grapes. Do you mean the canes? In grapes, the canes grow off the cordons, and the canes are cut back to one node. You’ll want to follow the same pattern with figs, which I demonstrate here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nae8aYN5o7yaoK8

[@food4thesoul726]

This. is a most helpful video. Thank you. My question is how far away from the fence did you plant the fig trees? We are about to start this type of project and I want to make sure I have them at the correct distance.

[@gigihenderson8567]

I have a couple of questions, (no idea if you will see it or not, but here goes)… 1) is there a reason you decided on 2 vs 3 cordon wires? It would seem that you could do another cable at the top of the posts. 2) are you going to brace the end posts so that they don’t get pulled inward due to the weight of the tree limbs growing along the cables?

[@davidlatif7829]

Great video. I can see this was well thought out. It’s inspiring me to grow fig trees in limited space as well. Thank you

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate you watching.

[@NovaPrincess]

Thoughts on planting figs near a fence line?

[@ISayFinn]

Genius! Love it! Excellent presentation!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! Thanks for watching.

[@damianpalmer1727]

Excellent video, very simple and informative. I have a question in regards to the pruning (which you may already have planned for a future video), however in the Southern Hemisphere we are in the middle of winter here. When it comes to pruning the new fruiting branches (ie those that have grown vertical from your scaffolds), do you plan on pruning the fruiting branches all the way flush with the scaffolds, or leave 1-2 nodes on the vertical fruiting wood. Hope this question makes sense. Please keep up the great work. Have learnt a lot from you - many thanks for that.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I plan to prune them to within 1 node of the scaffolds to encourage vertical branching the next season.

[@damianpalmer1727]

@@TheMillennialGardener Thank you for replying and the advice. Keep up the great work.

[@steveng6269]

Really enjoying your posts. You are very thorough and a good communicator. Question on your end posts. Did you anchor them with any concrete or are they just into your soil?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you. I appreciate that. No, they are just pounded into the ground. Espaliering trees is very different than growing vines. If you were trellising, say, tomatoes, beans or cucumbers, those vine-type plants place all of their weight on the trellis, so you have the entire force of gravity pulling down on the trellis. This isn't the case when you espalier trees. Trees are made of wood, which defy gravity. Therefore, there is no tension placed on the trellising cables. They are simply tie guides. Because the branches are self-supporting, they don't weigh on the trellis at all. You don't need the posts to be very strong. They only need to be strong enough to support the tension in the cables. Hope this helps!

[@steveng6269]

Outstanding. Thanks so much. I am new to fig growing, planted 2 in the ground last spring. Olympian and Lattarulla. Learning about pruning them now (we are in Maryland). Most of the figs did not fully ripen and I want to improve my approach and process. I did not prune at all in the spring when I purchased them. I did give them some fertilizer when I planted but not any more thru the growing season. Also now that Im learning more - not really thrilled with their shape. I was thinking that perhaps they had too many branches for the fist season and that the root system could not support the number of figs on the tree. Thus the need for pruning. Do you have any other suggestion on how to get higher percentage of figs to ripen?

[@denisea3036]

Great Video Thanks for posting how deep did you put the u post in the ground and can you use this system with apples?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

About 12 inches deep.

[@saivyabirnbaum5985]

Hi. Will any of the stainless steel cables on your store front work for the trellis? The aircraft one is unavailable.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I have 2 different brands listed in TRELLISING SUPPLIES. Either will work.

[@liveitwithrory1683]

Hi man 🤓👍 How far from the fence are each tree planted? Thanks 👍

[@TheMillennialGardener]

About 2 feet.

[@chocalatekid8024]

U-posts are weak-sauce. T-posts are better

[@shipadip9286]

Very informative, thank you! Any reason you chose to espalier these trees on cable in front of the fence, as opposed to just running the wire attached to fence and planting the trees against the fence?

[@englishrose4388]

This was extremely helpful. Thank you for being so detailed and not glossing over smaller steps.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@bakeone4406]

Lower tiers (horizontal branches or cordons) will not increase in diameter after the tree is allowed develop an upper cordon. The bottom cordon is not needed since it will be overtaken by the top cordon. The bottom one will atrophy and likely be removed after a few years...Apical dominance always wins... Training figs and other fruit trees horizontally is best done with one cordon once you understand how apical dominance works.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

The bottom cordons will still produce. Grape growers do this time and time again. Double-cordons are quite popular. The key is when you cut the cordons back, you cut back the "canes" to the same node. That way, the new branching points on the high and low cordons are the same. Therefore, apical dominance will be roughly equal. The lower cordons will not atrophy.

[@bakeone4406]

@@TheMillennialGardener if you stay at it a few more years, you'll learn more about apical dominance. None of the trees you show are old enough to demonstrate the inevitable. I have never seen a 10 or 20 year old multi tiered espalier (or even a photo of one) with even diameter cordons. The top cordon (which is always younger than the bottom cordon) will be larger in diameter. You can somewhat delay the manifestation apical dominance through pruning, but (as you'll likely eventually see) it's much more efficient and sensible to just train for a single tier. If you want some photo documentation post a contact email address and I'll send you some files.

[@orangetuono38]

Just another excellent gardening video on some of the finer details of Espalier. Thanks!

[@abedabosmra1971]

Can this be done with pomegranate trees, and if there is a video, it is better to watch? Thank you

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You can do this with any fruit tree. All fruit trees can be tied down to a guide wire to provide any shape your heart desires.

[@carolinag533]

Thank you for such a thorough demonstration. I will refer back to it when my trees are ready.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks for watching! Glad you found it helpful.

[@debbiefontenot9440]

I loved this video and will do the same with a couple of my young fig trees! Very well done!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks for watching!

[@moabbas5525]

What do they look like now ?

[@drewdavidson4264]

What size cable did you use and would you still use the same size if you had to do it again?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It is 1/8" stainless steel aircraft cable. I have the exact cable linked in my Amazon Storefront in the video description. It is outstanding. I would not change a single thing about anything I did. In fact, I planted 6 more trees in-ground last April (4 months ago), and I bought 100% the exact same supplies again, because this was so successful that I'm doing it again. I also use the same cable for my blackberry trellis here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npuUgYpvjtRsps0

[@BikerAU]

Great explanations - I've just built an espalier framework beside a fence and have a mixed variety of fruit planted (2 months ago) - 1 is a St Dominque Violette (?) fig - so I'm enjoying your videos (subscribed today). Being an old ex farmer in Australia (70+years age), my only query is that the 2 end posts (to which you attached the turnbuckles) didn't have any bracing and I would assume will eventually pull in and you will lose some tightness in your wires - once the fig timber hardens I'm guessing it may not be much of an issue however - I'm keen to watch the rest of your videos - I'm also hoping I can graft onto my fig another variety Violette de Bordeaux - do you have a video on grafting?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You are correct in your assumption of the fig timber hardening. If I were trellising something like tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons or vine crops, you'd need strength in the trellis to hold the tension of the vines laden with heavy fruit. This isn't the case when espaliering fruit trees. Even when the wood is green, it still defies gravity. The only purpose of the trellis is to provide a guide. The branches are tied very lightly, and because they are so stiff, they are applying very little tension on the cable. Therefore, you don't need any significant bracing. The trellis is a guide, not a support like it would be for common vegetables. Hope this helps!

[@Famcke]

Absolutely amazing video! Must watch! Thank you so much for sharing. Great information. Best wishes 🙏

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@luisguicho]

Excelentes instrucciones, aquí en sudamericana dejamos que crezcan de manera libre las higueras. No obstante estaré aplicando tus conceptos a la hora de evitar que la planta crezca tan alta ... gracias nuevamente!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad it was helpful for you. Thanks for watching!

[@RainbowWarriorChris]

I've seen it done with an apple tree and it was tremendous after a couple of years even his children were able to reach all the apples

[@maryobrien1349]

I wish you had shown how you put the eye/cuphook into the U-post. Is there another nut on the other side?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

U-posts come pre-drilled. In this case, they were pre-drilled for a 1/4 inch hook. There is a nut on each side. Hold the nut in the front with a pair of pliers, hand tighten the nut in the back and then use a ratchet, hex head driver or another pair of pliers to tighten the nut in the back until tight enough.

[@cynthiacorredor7756]

Hi thanks for your videos I’m getting into wanting to espalier some trees myself. Was curious if I could do so with a lychee tree? I have two free lychees trees I received however they aren’t labeled dwarf variety but according to their tags they will get about 20-25 ft high. I also learned that lychees are slow growing so wondering if this will help. Anything you can suggest would be most appreciated! Thank you and keep up the great content!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You can espalier literally any tree. You can espalier a pine tree if you want! I just purchased 2 apple and 1 peach trees. I don’t have the room for the semi-dwarfs to grow naturally, so I will be espaliering those 😊

[@nmnate]

Nice video and nice looking trees! We're going to do some grapes and espaliered fruit trees next to a fence in our yard. I'm still on the fence (ha!) whether I'll eventually put a fig in the ground here (6b), but I'm warming up to it. I think it'd be a bush and die back to the ground each year, not worth trying to espalier. I'm probably going to do espaliered apples or asian pears. Maybe some stone fruit. Have you considered doing a single pair of cordons on the lower wire and then just having a bunch of larger upright canes? I'm probably going to do that shape for our grapes and then maybe a 2 cordon candelabra shape for some cool variation on the other trees. My wires will be a little bit higher than you've done. FYI, your loops will hold up better if you use the thimbles. There's a device called a "come-along" that you can use with wire rope grips to put all the tension you need on the wires (if you don't want to use turnbuckles). You can also pinch the cables together with a cable clamp for a semi-permanent connection that you can adjust later. I'm assuming that you put the U posts in the ground vertical and the tension in the wires isn't enough to have the end posts lean? U posts would definitely be easier to put in than digging holes for fence posts or other trellis materials that I've been considering. I can always paint them so that they're a little more presentable :)

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks. You should definitely put a fig tree in ground. All you have to do is after your first couple frosts and light freezes, cut the tree down into a single 18 inch trunk, place 4 stakes around it, wrap the 4 stakes with 3ft tall chicken wire and stuff it with a bale of straw or hay. Make sure you leave at least a foot on all sides of the trunk, but more is better. That'll insulate the tree. Then, remove the straw in April or whenever you stop getting frosts and the tree will have a huge head start. I did this with my bananas over the winter. Banana's can't take a moderate freeze, and this method protected them completely. Now, I have a bunch of bananas ripening in North Carolina! I am not 100% sure how the espalier is going to work out. I know I want 2 levels of cordons, but I'll play it by ear and see where to go from there. This is going to be a trial and error experiment. Yes, I had a ton of thimbles but I decided not to use them. I think that cable is going to outlast me. It's stainless steel, so it isn't going anywhere. The end posts did not lean. I made sure to not overtighten. They only have to act as a guide for the branches. It is not a support. Once the branches lignify, they will conform to that shape and I can untie them from the wires.

[@ofroaddude5859]

You are a very good man! All the way from the land of figs ~Palestine

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you for watching! I bet you can ripen amazing figs in your dry climate. I wish it didn't rain so much here in the summer!

[@catherinegrace2366]

@@TheMillennialGardener just come to California! Bring your figs! 🤣

[@josephkool8411]

Wow your yard is beautiful I'm envious. I live in zone 4 and I can't even grow Chicago's here. It sucks

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you. It's been a long work in progress. I moved south for the warmer climate. I used to live in an area where I couldn't grow much for so many reasons (Philadelphia area). Thanks for watching!

[@367cuba1]

Great Video! question all the auxiliary branches you pinched do you plan at a later day on remove those branches completely by cutting them off or just keeping them at that height by pinching every year? Again, Great video! Thank you...

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I will be cutting most of the auxiliary branches and selling them as cuttings or propagating them as new trees. When the winter comes, I'll make a pruning video.

[@susanhills8015]

Thank you so much for your easy to understand video! Very clear and very concise thank you. I have a question... On the last plant you showed why did you leave 4 arms instead of 3? ie the forward facing arm?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

On some plants, it was unclear which would be the dominant central leader. The one that did not take would be repurposed for cuttings and propagation.

[@PaulZArts]

Any update on your espaliered figs?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I have an entire playlist dedicated to espalier here: kzbin.info/aero/PL1gY7BoYBGIFlbg2ri_7gCJPhXaZ_nOvy I updated my figs in the video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKHCn5Rnn7WHg5Y We had a bad winter, and many died back to the ground, so we're starting all over again.

[@kaush882]

🙏🙏🙏

[@shaydbrayd]

22:43 lol...Just put the bamboo stake on the other side of the cable

[@romaineathey3663]

I did it with Woodprix.

[@wandarmanwanabdullah7735]

Can we remove the wire once the cordons will formed?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You can if the cordons are fully formed and you're confident they will not die back from cold. If they die back from cold, you'll have to reinstall the wire. If you live in an area where they do not die back, you can remove the trellis once you're happy with the final shape.