Potager Gardening - Espalier

An espalier is a tree trained to grow flat against a wall. There are advantages to growing fruit trees this way. Less space is required, more sunlight is able to ripen the fruit and the gardener has easier access to maintain and harvest from trees.

Where to Start an Espaliered Tree

The best place to start an espalier is on a south facing wall which receives full sun in summer or as close to full sun as you can manage. The second best place to plant is east-facing. The wall or fence will block wind and create a warm micro-climate. Avoid a south or west-facing placement or the trees won't survive winter conditions. Here's a great video explaining how to start an espaliered tree: Planting an Espaliered Pear

Pruning an Espalier is also a great video for reference: Pruning an Espalier

Espalier Shapes:

Dwarf apple and pear whips are probably the best choice. A whip is a very young tree of a single vertical growth with no branches or side shoots.