If you want to grow fruit trees but don’t think there’s any space, think again. You don’t even need an orchard or a large backyard to enjoy the fruits you painted in your garden.
Instead, use the method completed by the gardener of Louis XIV in Versailles in the 1600s. The cold, windy winters urged the trees to train to flatten the walls, not lacking space. Their goal was to use masonry as windproof and insulator, but they also created the method they called “espalier.” Excellent use of small footprints.
The wood format maximizes exposure to sunlight and allows the trees to Withstands chilly temperatures Better than their untrained cousins. Surprisingly, perhaps, they also produced more fruit.
Which tree is suitable for espalier?
largely Trees with long, flexible branches, It’s great for Espalier methods such as Apple, Cherry, Fig, Peach, Peach, Plum, Quince. Even decorative trees like Magnolia, Firethorn and Witch Hazel are good candidates.
The name “espalier” comes from French and indicates something to tilt your shoulders as the trees lean against their support.
However, the French in the 17th century did not invent Espalier. It is believed to have been practiced in the Middle Ages and even in ancient Egypt. However, the gardeners of Versailles gave this method a name and fame.
How it works
Training an Espalier tree requires pruning and patience on the equivalent parts. Remove unwanted branches, shrink the rest and paste it on the wall, then paste the fencing with wire or frame until it is submitted to the process and adapted to the pattern.
The tree sends spoilers of shapes that need to be clipped continuously, but the branches of interest take longer to establish.
To accelerate growth, apply the dose of High nitrogen fertilizer (Find the 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 ratio of package labels) 3 times per season – at spring, early summer, and late summer.
Do not expect flowers or fruits at this stage. The key to fertilizer is to force the tree to guide most of its energy to growth, not production.
Once the tree has achieved the desired shape and size, switch to fertilizers specially formulated for fruit trees, reduce frequency to one application per year in spring, and packages are recommended. (If you are growing non-flowing trees, look for products for seeds).
However, this method may increase Pests and disease problemscultivation of trees pressed against walls limits the flow of air around them. Therefore, be sure to monitor the trees closely and deal with the issues quickly if they occur.
All TLC rewards with beautiful, living garden sculptures.
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Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the Associated Press and publishes her award-winning weekly dirt newsletter. You can sign up here For weekly gardening tips and advice.
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