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Apple Pruning - Esaplier

FuRanchuFuRanchu Posts: 5
in Fruit & veg
Hello!

Not sure how to word this so I’ll just start typing! 

At the end of last year I ordered a couple of apple trees for the allotment with the intention of planting them and training them as an espalier. (An Ashmeads Kernel and Pomeroy of Somerset both maiden whips on mm106 rootstock.) 

However, I’ve only just managed to put them in the ground and wondered how I should go about pruning them to start the process off? 

There are no obvious buds horizontal to each other anywhere near the height required for the first, lower tier. Should I cut them down to the required height and see how they grow? Is it too late this year? The trees are both pushing 6ft now, don’t want to kill them? Would notching above a bud work to cause a new bud to grow below where I’d like it? 

Did a lot of research last year and had a few articles for reference but I’ve lost them and can’t remember what the plan of action was!

Was quite confident when I made these plans last year, but worried now! 

Many thanks! 

Posts

  • Mr. Vine EyeMr. Vine Eye Posts: 2,394
    edited March 2021
    Cut them down to the required height, to three buds near the level of the first wire, one at or just above and two more at or just below for the tier branches.

    What did you do with them before they were planted? DId they take a long time to arrive or have you been keeping them heeled in or something?

    Not too late to cut back, better do it ASAP! I started mine a few years ago in December but I also bought a tree from Aldi, not a maiden, cut it right down to height of the wire in March and successfully started the first tier of an espalier last year.

    Feel free to post a photo if you'd like more advice on them.
    East Yorkshire
  • FuRanchuFuRanchu Posts: 5
    They don’t seem to have three suitable buds until a good metre plus above the ground? Very singular all the way up! I’ll pop down and have a proper look tomorrow and see if I can get a photo. 

    Had them heeled in for about four/five weeks beforehand.  

    Thanks for the reply! 
  • FuRanchuFuRanchu Posts: 5
    Haven’t put any wires in yet as I was waiting to see how high I would need them. Wasn’t sure how much control I would have? 
  • Mr. Vine EyeMr. Vine Eye Posts: 2,394
    Oh if you were buying a pretrained espalier, then you'd set wires to the height of the existing limbs. But starting from scratch you put the wires at the right level for your support and surroundings and then get the tree to fit that.
    East Yorkshire
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