Long time ago, inspired by an old photo and then finding this about 5 years ago, I'm happy to say I have my own beautiful horizontal cordon Honeycrisp apple reaching the entire gable end of my house. Came back to thank you.
I had the same experience after visiting Mt. Vernon as well. I had never even heard or seen anything like espalier before and was instantly captivated by it.
@@justinfiorini3142 I know I’m replying to an older comment but if you don’t mind me asking, by any chance do you think plums could be grown in a Belgian fence style design? I know the fan is the best way but what are your thoughts on plums/ Belgian fence. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated thank you.
Your trees are beautiful! I wondered if you ever have rot problems on the Belgium Fence where branches cross. Typically when you are doing regular pruning, I thought you were supposed to prevent crossing like that. As the branches grow into and around one another, will that not eventually be an issue? Would it be a good idea to make several inches of space at each X to give room for the girth of the branches to grow?
Loved the trees. Hated the music. Incidentally, unique means ONE OF A KIND. If there is more than one tree in the world of that pattern, then it is NOT unique.
One of the challenges I have seen with exotic pruning is training the owners how to maintain the look. I have found that even so called professional gardeners do not understand how to maintain trees. I do enjoy the variety of shapes that can be done and add interest to a garden space.
I'm new to growing trees. I planted a peach tree whip last spring, cutting it off at knee length....and let it grow. 9 months later, comparing my peach tree with the trees in these videos, I have to conclude that I did my tree a disservice by not rubbing off the two branches just 4 inches above the graft. Those branches are beefy now, but we are told that low branches have to be pruned. I am cool with that, but I'm left with less than good development at the top of the whip. I have one branch that is near the top of the whip, that I well save as a scaffold. Opposite of this branch is a bump, about the size of a walnut cut in half. On the bump there are 3 branches like a cyclops with 3 eyes, "tri-clops", with three branches in a horizontal row on that bump. If I were to cut off the middle branch, that would add up to 3 future scaffold branches, but I have doubts to the structural integrity of that bump. What about these bumps? Are they a future problem? With potential scaffold problems due to the bump, maybe I should do espalier to provide structural support for these branches, which might not be strong in the future.
Hi Peter - I’ve been thinking about those espalier for years also and happen to have an 80 foot run I’d like to train a Belgian fence on. What spacing do you recommend for prairiefire crabapple trees? Will too close inhibit growth or will too far ruin the design depending on the tree’s spread?
Thank you! I live in Sweden and a first time homeowner and beginner gardener. In part to your videos I am trying to learn how to graft then train so I can have my dream Belgian fence around my home with as many varieties of fruit trees as possible! This is an inspiration!
Peter, I wonder if you've ever checked out Auvil Fruit Company's Vantage Ranch in Washington state. If not, you really should look them up. They probably have the nicest orchards in the world and they use a horizontal cordon system.
How would I make a hedge using espalier method? I need a canopy high enough to stop leaves falling into our yard we were going to use shrubs but i'm considering espalier/pleaching. Do you graft the espalier branches together
+Travis Robinson a large fruit tree takes up lots of space, by training into certain shapes or against a trellis you can save space and you increase the size of fruit as the plant isn't putting energy into growing branches/leaves but growing fruit
If you are still interested in creating a belgium fence easily and maintain it easily in good shape check out this link: www.lockjaw.co.nz/espalier-kit-diamond-king/
I love this art. I had several espaliered apples planted in a garden I recently moved from. I hope the new owner takes care of them. Someday, I want to do the tunnel and maybe a heart. They are lovely. Thanks for these videos. I'll wait for the next one. Thanks again.
