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What’s the best way to attach training wires against brick wall for espalier tree?

marcos 114marcos 114 Posts: 24
in Tools and techniques
We’ve got our three-tier Bramley apple tree in place against a wall (having spent hours getting rid of seriously large and deep ivy roots). 

Searching Google I find numerous methods to wire up trellises, but most seem to focus on those between posts.

In the current wall there’s some very old rusty nails that have a slight hook upwards - wondering if I could put some more of those in, but a search for “masonry nails” doesn’t show anything nearly as heavy duty. 

I’m also uncertain about whether I need an expensive swage tool, or if I can get lengths of wire to order with the loops on the end for tensioning. 

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited April 2018
    You can buy vine eyes in a decent DIY store.  These screw in to walls (use a decent rawl plug to secure them) or fence posts and have a loop, rather than a screw head or hook thru which you can pass strong wires to be tensioned at either end.   The vine eyes should hold the wires an inch or two away from the wall thus allowing air flow as well as access for tying in stems.  Place them in horizontal rows 12"/30cms to 183/40cms apart depending on your espalier intervals.

    If you look at the section where they sell wire mesh fencing you'll find strong green wire and tension fixers.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I used the Gripple system for some pear cordons I put in last year
    https://www.rivelinglenproducts.com/gripple-trellising-system-19-c.asp

    Early days but it seems good and you can re-tension the 'wire' easily just by pulling at either end
    The starter pack includes vine-eyes too


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • BLTBLT Posts: 525
    I used Masonary nail hammered into the mortar, worked fo me,been there 25 yrs so far.   I do need to attach more to a heavy feather edge board fencing so will have to use something a little more delicate as the fencing might be brittle. So allideas considered ..

  • marcos 114marcos 114 Posts: 24
    @BLT - may I ask how you tensioned the wire? 
  • marcos 114marcos 114 Posts: 24
    @Pete8 - think I'd prefer something more 'traditional'. Also, as we're planning on making six espaliers, something a bit more economical too.

  • marcos 114marcos 114 Posts: 24
    edited April 2018
    @Obelixx - thanks - can you recommend how far off the wall one should stand them off?

    Can you get vine eyes with the 'eye' bit far enough away from the wall, or do you need to lengthen them somehow (such as with a baton).
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Vine eyes are made to stand away from the wall, they make come in different lengths I suppose. I found the Gripple system really easy to use for wisteria and has lasted 11 years so far.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Nick74Nick74 Posts: 44
    I went to B&Q for the wire and vine eyes as they're cheap. Also used raw plugs (had those in the garage). 

    https://www.diy.com/departments/verve-steel-vine-eye-bolts-pack-of-8/314527_BQ.prd

    https://www.diy.com/departments/gardman-galvanised-steel-garden-wire-l-50m/312852_BQ.prd
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Marcos - you just need enough length in the vine eyes to allow air to circulate around the trained stems.  Nick's link looks good.    Just make sure you anchor them well.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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