Dwarf apple espalier (forum)

Emilio starts with ...
HI Guys,

My Location is Sydney.

I would like to espalier 2 apple trees. Basically having 2 rows each tree on opposite sides of a small square of lawn 2mx2m on the high side of a 1m retaining wall.

Ideally each tree would be 2 metres long and maybe 1.5m high.

I was thinking dwarf fuji and dwarf pink lady. I don't want monster apple trees especially since on high side of a 1m retaining wall.

Do you guys think this will work? Will the dwarfs give me that width? I was originally thinking pinkabelle but based on product description only gets to 1m wide.

Any advice would be great

Time: 22nd March 2015 12:47pm

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About the Author Emilio
RINTY2
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Brain says...
Most dwarf apples are on m26 rootstock and can reach 3m easily. So you might consider getting a size smaller on the m9 or even m27, but they are not so easy to find and buy.

I don't espalie my trees but from experience on the m26s, you can easily take a growing upright branch and fold it horizontal to reach your 1m on each side. In my experience, the pink lady does like to grow upright and narrow, where as the fuji tends to be more stockier.

Time: 22nd March 2015 4:13pm

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About the Author Brain
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Tommoz says...
What part of Sydney are you in? You might have to prioritise getting a low chill type.

Do not get a tip-fruiting type for espalier. Pink lady is partial tip. Look for spur-fruiting cultivars.

Get your dwarf rootstock as needed separately if need be and then graft on the complimentary scions that fit the bill. Look into the catalogues of Yalca, Woodbrige and Heritage fruit trees. There are some others that mail out scions in winter of many different cultivars.

Time: 22nd March 2015 4:53pm

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Original Post was last edited: 22nd March 2015 4:52pm

About the Author Tommoz
Dural
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Emilio says...
Thanks for replies I am from hurstville area in sydney. Yea I probably do need a low chill variety.

Time: 22nd March 2015 8:25pm

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About the Author Emilio
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Emilio says...
Hi Guys,

My investigations are going further..Is it feasible to grow 2 apple trees on a M26 root stock 1m apart if I keep trimmed to a 1.5m height in a 2 level espalier?

M26 grafted dwarf apples seem to be pretty easy to find.

Time: 24th March 2015 2:16pm

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About the Author Emilio
Penshurst
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Brain says...
It can be done but its not ideal spacing. Also, apple grows on old wood and keep trimming might mean you can be potentially trimming off all the fruiting spurs.

Time: 27th March 2015 9:49pm

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About the Author Brain
Brisbane
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