Espalier Fruit Tree Training Why Espalier? Advantages • Good use of narrow spaces • Narrow frui;ng wall – good sunlight penetraon • Efficient crop produc;on • Heat capture in winter on south-facing walls • Improved pest management: Ø Vertebrate pests Ø Certain insects and diseases Ø BeHer spray coverage Disadvantages • Trellis cost and installaon • Training & pruning takes ;me & knowledge • Challenging with fast-growing trees and trees Bird neng that fruit on long shoots or branches • Narrow canopy may increase sunburn and branch borers Narrow space Exclusion of spoed wing drosophila (cherry maggot) Chuck Ingels, Hor;culture Advisor Harvest Day 2017, Fair Oaks Hor;culture Center UCCE Master Gardeners of Sacramento County 1 hHp://sacmg.ucanr.edu/, (916) 876-5338 Espalier Fruit Tree Training Methods 2 Espalier Fruit Tree Training Espalier Examples Horizontal T (apple) 2-scaffold fan (peach) Informal (mandarin) Fan (cherry) Photo: Caroline Hathaway PalmeHe/Candelabra (A. pear) Stepover (apple) 3 Espalier Fruit Tree Training Building the Structure Wood Post Chain link post Laivo Photo: Ed Extend concrete Chain link top rail (hole Top rails, tension bands, above soil & mulch saw to drill holes) and turnbuckle OR Turnbuckle Support wire Support wire & turnbuckle Earth from post aached to earth anchor anchor 4 Espalier Fruit Tree Training Peach Tree at FOHC Before Pruning May 2015 Aer Main shoot cut, lowest lateral ;ed Flowers (March 2016) Cut back (August 2016) Few flowers! Vigorous growth! Cut back again (May 2017) (May 2017) (May 2017) 5 Espalier Fruit Tree Training Avoid Piialls Buy trees with Trees need sun! House on lef, lower branches! Fence & large tree on right. Do summer pruning! Keep top pruned to avoid shading lower branches. Asian pear Watch for sunburn Cherry 6 .