What equipment do you need for pruning espaliered fruit trees?Īll you need is a pair of secateurs and a soft twine, such as a jute twine. In summer, you prune back some of the leafy growth in order to maximise the fruit harvest. In January and February (Northern hemisphere), you prune to create the shape. Pruning is the keyĮspaliered fruit trees need pruning twice a year. The main reason why trees fail is poor planting techniques. It’s considered to be the best pear for poaching, and also for flavour. The top ‘chef’s pear’ is Doyenne du Comice , which is particularly suitable for growing as an espalier up a south-facing wall. When it comes to pears, it’s the chefs that dictate the choice of variety. It’s very suitable for growing as an espalier.Īshmead’s Kernel is also one of the best English apples for growing in North America. It dates back to 1770 and has a ‘crisp, russety taste, says Donna from Grow. The ‘connoisseur’s apple’ is ‘Ashmead’s Kernel‘. Other people want to grow their own fruit for gourmet reasons. The best fruit trees to grow in your garden Some people are planting fruit trees, because they’re are good for wildlife. The main trend is towards having as many fruit trees in your garden as you can fit in – people are now buying them in 6s and 10s rather than ones and twos. Fruit trees getting more popularĪt Grow, they’ve noticed a distinct increase in people buying fruit trees over the past few years. So I went to Brogdale near Faversham, home of the National Fruit Collection and Grow, the nursery attached, to talk to head nurseryman, David Morrice, about espaliered trees. That’s when you define and refine the shape. However, the window for pruning your espaliered apple or pear trees is definitely in January or February. The time to plant your espaliered fruit trees is technically between November and March, although these days, pot grown trees can probably be planted any time. Or they can be free-standing, dividing up the garden or creating a screen. They can cover walls and fences, using space that otherwise isn’t productive. Espaliered fruit trees offer lots of fruit while taking up relatively little garden ground. As smart as anything from a Saville Row tailor – an espaliered pear at Great Dixter in February.Īnd in summer, they’re good space-savers for middle-sized gardens.
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