How to Espalier Fruit Trees Guide

What is Espalier

Espalier is a horticultural term that refers to training and pruning a tree or shrub to grow flat and vertically against a wall, fence, trellis, or other supporting structure. There are espalier kits you can purchase online or from garden centres which are easy to install.

Why Espalier

With garden and outdoor spaces reducing in size as urbanisation increases, espaliering fruit trees is an efficient and practical way to make the most of available space you do have - by going vertical you can still enjoy delicious fruit in smaller gardens. 

Espaliered fruit trees (or ornamental trees and shrubs) can also be used for decoration e.g. to create a privacy screen or disguise an unsightly view.  

Varieties to Espalier

• Apples: All varieties can be successfully espaliered. Ideally, choose an apple variety that is grafted onto EM9 rootstock. Although it’s a dwarf rootstock, it’s exceptionally vigorous, producing fast-growing laterals that are perfect for espaliering. Your local garden centre can guide you.
• Citrus: Lemon: try Lisbon or Meyer lemon. For limes, try ‘Bearss’.
• Figs: Figs are vigorous growers and will yield heavy crops after a few years. Pruning them hard in autumn is essential, as they bear fruit on the new season's growth.
• Nashi: For successful pollination, plant two different varieties of Nashi trees.
• Pears: Remember to plant two pear trees that can pollinate each other to ensure fruit production.
• Plums: Select self-fertilising varieties like Wilsons Early or Louisa, or plant varieties that can cross-pollinate with each other.
• Persimmons: These grow best when espaliered, and the Fuyu variety is a great choice to consider.
• Quince: Try Smyrna which has extra-large foliage and large golden-yellow fruit.  

Selecting your tree

First, choose a fruit tree variety that is suited to your region/climate. When selecting a new tree, look for a young specimen (1 year old is ideal) with a strong vertical habit, and where possible with evenly spaced leaders (branches).