How Do You Prune Espaliered Apple Trees?
Espalier, a French word by way of Italian, literally translates to mean “something to rest the shoulder against.” In horticulture, espalier is the artful tradition of training trees to grow flat against a wall or fence. This attractive, space-saving technique is incredibly popular in Europe, where it is also used by some commercial orchards to increase productivity. Apple, along with pear and apricot, are just a few of the most popular trees used in espalier. Once established, these beautiful, unique-looking trees require very little pruning care. Use sharpened and sterilized cutting tools when pruning your espaliered apple trees. Clean, tear-free cuts are easier for your tree to heal and sterilized tools will help prevent the spread of dangerous plant diseases. Prune your espaliered apple trees in late winter or early spring, while your trees are still dormant. This ensures that your trees will have plenty of time to heal their wounds before cold temperatures set in again. Remove all
