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Fruit Tree Training
M Fent
Posts: 166
Espalier/fan trained fruit trees sound like a good idea up here in Derbyshire (maximising light levels and warmth on a south facing wall etc) but the only problem being I dont have any borders that butt up to any walls. Is it possible to train a fruit tree to grow as an archway (ie over a path that runs around the perimeter of the house) then 'fan out' along the wall? Any reason why it wouldnt work? On the same note can you train roses in this way to?
hopefully what i just typed made sense!!!
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Posts
I think Verdun has it covered really. I was at Greys Court (National Trust) over weekend. They had lots of fruit trees over arches & fan trained on walls but separate rootstocks for each. You would need a very vigorous grower to stretch from one to the other. If there is space at base of wall large containers might work but would need drip irrigation ideally.
Thanks Verd and Iain for the replies; such a fountain of knowledge! Would Wisteria be a better choice in this situation? (Crude drawing attached for reference)
Agreed a wisteria would work at same NT property there is a 125 year old Wisteria that covers a complete courtyard garden on Huge elaborate wooden structure cant really call it a pergola as it coveres whole garden.
Figs are very vigorous (if you like them). Remember also any large plant will need to have an equally large root system to support it so the bed it is planted in will need to be very rich, well watered and may not be able to grow much else.