How to Espalier Fruit Trees and Almost Any Plant (4 Easy Steps!)

[@charismatic1516]

I almost spilled my coffee when the cute dog started 'talking'! :-)

[@JohnandBobs]

He is quite adorable...and talented :p

[@GardenerScott]

Great introduction to espalier. I'll have as many in my garden as I can. Good video.

[@JohnandBobs]

Thanks, Gardener Scott!

[@beebob1279]

Thanks. I’m trying to convince my wife to let me have fruit trees in the yard. I’m looking at the espalier method because it will look cleaner and organized to her

[@matthewsheppard2998]

Came for Espalier and stayed for you holding your dog.

[@JohnandBobs]

I am weak 😂 Chip is with John in almost all our KZbin videos! 🐶💚

[@lisabencivenga5964]

Thanks so much for this video, it was very interesting and informative.

[@JohnandBobs]

Thank you for watching, Lisa! Glad to hear that you enjoyed it and got some useful information :)

[@shannonmoffett6530]

This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you!!!

[@JohnandBobs]

Glad we could help you find just what you were looking for :)

[@echandler673]

Great video! What would you recommend if I wanted to espalier a walnut tree?

[@charismatic1516]

Thanks for a nice intro and some good tips. I espaliered a few apple trees in my yard 3 years ago (3-4 year olds), but last year, ALL of them died, rather suddenly! When I pulled them out, they had almost no roots (as if someone 'ate' all the roots or roots simply disintegrated). Also, none of my avocado plants bought from Lw, HD seem to survive. They all start going brown from the tips, reaching downwards until all the tree is brown. Any insights? Is there something wrong with the soil / some soil-dwelling pests? Thanks!

[@KateWrath]

Any thoughts on hardy pecan as an espalier? Obviously high maintenence. With the right work, would I be able to keep it in a small space and still have it produce? Also, you say you can do this with "almost any" plant. What factors would make a plant a no-no? Can you give some examples of plants that can't be espaliered? Thanks!

[@JohnandBobs]

Yes, you can espalier a Pecan tree, but not easily. As you indicate, it would be high maintenance because of the very large size of a Pecan tree. But, it is possible. I said "almost any plant" just to cover my bases. I can't think of a plant that can't be espaliered, except for low growing shrubs/perennials that are too small.

[@BayouChicGardening]

Decidious plants would look bare when their leaves fall.

[@supereight9221]

Palm tree can be injured

[@johncordova9740]

Great información. But how can i make my lower branches grow vigorus then the top onces.

[@JohnandBobs]

Thanks! Check out this video we did about pruning a Japanese maple. You can apply the same pruning concepts to create a tree with more lower branches and less on top. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn3alousq72Cj68

[@kaittemurry4740]

I built espalier fences from cattle panels.. can I fan Espailier from the ground for my plum and n ectarine rather than having additional fan above the fence??

[@JohnandBobs]

Yes, you can. Just make sure that all branches that you train as an espalier originate above the graft. If they originate below the graft, that is sucker growth and should be removed ASAP. Thanks for the comment :)

[@BRIANLIMBARO]

❤

[@JohnandBobs]

💚💚💚

[@Web3WondersUS]

Any suggestions for using Gingko trees for a hedge in a tight space?

[@JohnandBobs]

Ginkgos in a tight space is a high maintenance proposition because their natural tendency is to spread out. If you want to contain one or more in a flat hedge like I did the apple trees in the espalier video, you'll need to prune them frequently. Not impossible, but not easy. The first year or two, probably 2 prunings per year will suffice. After that they may require monthly Pruning May to September to keep them contained, as desired. Thanks for your comment :)

[@Web3WondersUS]

@@JohnandBobs That helps. Thank you very much!

[@DK-zu6tt]

Hi! Do you think I could successfully espalier a smaller structured walnut that has lateral bud fruitfulness (I am thinking of planting Cisco and Howard varietals, in case you are interested). I also watched a video on YT about scoring walnut tree trunks to encourage the cambium to deliver more nutrients to lateral branches. Have you ever heard of this or tried it? Thanks.

[@JohnandBobs]

Yes, it is possible to espalier Walnut trees. However, the bigger the tree, the more work and diligence required to espalier - and as you know Walnut Trees are big! Your choice of Cisco & Howard varietals is smart because they are smaller than most Walnut trees and they take to pruning well. I have heard of trunk and branch scoring of fruit trees, but I wasn't aware it was a technique used for Walnuts. Interesting! I've always focused on soil quality to maximize yields and I've never done scoring on any tree, but it is intriguing. Thank you for your interest!