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Espalier or fan apple
Magpie-Maiden
Posts: 42
in Fruit & veg
I plan to train an apple tree against a 7 foot wall and am wondering whether to train it as a fan or an espalier.
I think I slightly prefer the look of fan trained trees but does anyone know if either method produces more fruit or has any other advantage.
I am thinking of something like braeburn on a fairly small rootstock planted as a bareroot in autumn.
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Thanks, I live in the South West with a sunny walled garden so braeburn may be ok. I am open to other alternatives though.
Last edited: 20 June 2016 23:50:11
stone fruits (plums and cherries) like fan pruning.
apples and pears (non stoned) like espalier, step over (single tier espalier) or cordon pruning
Thanks Treehugger, espalier it is then.
Thanks also Pansy - this link was incredibly useful ans seems to have answered all my questions. Looks like a good apple may be red falstaff.
Has anyone had any experience of training an apple tree into an espalier? I understand I need to start with a more vigorous rootstock than would be needed for the a non-trained tree. MM106 I think is a suitable size rootstock for a 6-7 foot espalier.
I am assuming training an apple would involve setting wires onto the wall and tying in the branches needed to form the required shape whilst removing all the others. Is there anything else I need to do?
Is anyone able to suggest how high the wires on the wall should be set for a 3 layer espalier on a 7 foot wall? Presumably there needs to be a reasonable space at the bottom of the wall befire the first layer of branches.
Last edited: 21 June 2016 20:17:27