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Planting espalier fruit trees is worthwhile for several reasons. Many types of fruit can be easily grown on the wall of your house or on a trellis.
Planting espalier fruit trees: Why it makes sense
Growing fruit on a trellis or against the wall of your house has many advantages.
- Firstly, you don’t have to go without home-grown fruit, even if you only have a small garden. This method is particularly suitable for small allotments.
- Secondly, the fruit is a decorative addition to any bare wall. Unlike ivy, which grows up the wall, fruit is not just pleasing to the eye. With the right care, you can harvest your favorite fruit fresh from your own garden.
Many fruit varieties are suitable as espalier fruit
Although not all types of fruit can be grown on the wall of your house or on a trellis, there is still a wide enough selection.
- The classics among espalier fruit are definitely apples and pears. Robust apple varieties such as “Topaz” and ‘Pinova’ are particularly suitable. The pear varieties “Williams Christ” and “Gute Luise” thrive best on espaliers. And they taste the best too.
- You can also easily grow sour cherries, apricots, or peaches up the wall of your house.
- In wine regions, grapes are not only found in vineyards. Here, grapevines adorn many houses and archways. The grapes even grow on trellises across the street.
- Where wine grows, figs also thrive. A fig tree can also be grown as a trellis fruit. However, be sure to choose a winter-hardy fig tree variety.
- In mild regions, kiwis feel quite at home on trellises. However, it should be a self-pollinating kiwi plant.
- You can also grow a blackberry hedge on a trellis along the wall of your house.
What to look for in espalier fruit
When planting fruit trees, there are always certain factors to consider. This also applies to espalier fruit trees. They can be grown against a house wall, a garden fence as a privacy screen, or simply on a trellis to save space.
- Every fruit has its own location preferences. Peaches and pears, for example, need a lot of sun and therefore prefer a south-facing house wall. Sour cherries are less demanding and will also grow on a north-facing wall.
- Apricots and peaches are sensitive to frost and need a sheltered location. They should therefore be planted on a sunny wall. This will also radiate some warmth at night. Apples thrive on a west-facing wall.
- There are various types of espaliers: from U-shaped espaliers to two-armed espaliers and V-shaped espaliers. Which type you choose is a matter of taste. Grapes do not need a trellis at all; they simply grow on a wall or fence and hold on by themselves.
- If you want to plant espalier fruit, you should get plants that have already been pruned accordingly. The planting time depends on the type of fruit you have chosen. Autumn is usually a good time.
- If you let the fruit grow on a trellis against a wall, make sure there is sufficient ventilation behind the branches. There should be 10 centimeters of space between the wall and the trellis.
- Espalier fruit is practical and also decorative, but it requires a lot of care. To ensure that the fruit grows along the trellis, it is best to force it to grow horizontally or at least at an angle. It must be pruned frequently to keep it in shape. The lower shoots should be tied horizontally, and the main shoot vertically.
Instructions for planting espalier fruit trees correctly
The location, planting time, and proper preparation of the trellis are crucial for successfully planting espalier fruit trees. The ideal location is sunny, sheltered from the wind, and preferably on a house or south-facing wall. The trellis should be installed before planting, and planting is best done in fall or early spring when there is no frost.
- The location has a significant influence on growth and health. Sunny, warm south-facing walls offer optimal protection and warmth, while free-standing trellises should ideally be oriented in a north-south direction to ensure sufficient light. Wind-protected locations are important, especially since plants on trellises are susceptible to wind.
- Choose the south wall for heat-loving varieties such as apples, pears, and peaches, the west or southwest wall in partial shade for more sensitive species, and a wind-protected location for free-standing trellises.
- The best time to plant is in the fall (after the leaves have fallen) or in early spring (before budding). These are the best times to plant espalier fruit trees, as mild temperatures and moist soil facilitate growth. Do not plant in summer or winter to avoid drought stress and frost damage.
- Autumn is ideal for hardy varieties such as apples and pears. For frost-sensitive fruit varieties such as apricots, figs, and peaches, it is better to wait until spring. Choose frost-free days for planting and complete spring planting before bud break.
- The trellis must be installed before planting to avoid root damage and broken shoots. For wall or fence trellises, anchor wooden or metal posts at intervals of two to three meters and install horizontal slats or tension wires at heights of 40 to 60 cm.
- Observe the following criteria: Dig a planting hole twice the size of the root ball and enrich the soil with compost or humus if necessary. Plant the tree at a slight angle to the house wall so that the lowest shoots reach about knee height. The grafting point must be at least a hand’s width above the ground. Immediately after planting, secure the tree to the trellis with string or binding material.
- Water the planted trees thoroughly. Press the soil down gently to avoid air pockets. If necessary, prune the tree and train it depending on the tree and season. Depending on the variety, make sure you use the right rootstock. Weak to medium-growing types are best suited.
