1 responses |
Jillbo starts with ... Hello everyone, I was wondering if it is possible to create an espalier shape on mature fruit trees? I'm helping a friend with her garden and she has an apricot and an apple tree growing along a north-facing fence. I'd guess they'd be 5-7 years old - so a reasonable size but not huge. The problem is that while they're planted well in terms of receiving sun, the yard is very small and their branches overhang the only area that it's really possible to grow veggies. Is it possible to prune their branches so that they take on a more espaliered shape along the fence, thereby retaining the trees but reducing the size they take up? Their trunks are quite close to the fence so they won't be able to grow a full tree shape on the other side anyway. I realise that normally you only espalier trees when they're young and their branches are supple so maybe it's not possible? Or is it a terrible idea in any case? Will it just ruin them? I've included a photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/92853666@N03/8440627900/ Thanks! | About the Author jill Melbourne 3rd February 2013 6:04pm #UserID: 7680 Posts: 4 View All jill's Edible Fruit Trees |
Diana says... Hi Jilbo, See http://www.rarefruit-sa.org.au/Espalier/Trees/Trees.htm Some of the trees are 'reworked'. It looks as though they cut them back hard to do this. | About the Author Diana Brisbane 7th February 2013 10:11am #UserID: 3004 Posts: 284 View All Diana's Edible Fruit Trees |
|---|---|