- Determine scaffolding structure
- Trellis shape dictates the cut
- Cutting different types of fruit
- maintain trellis
Trellis fruit can only thrive in its special form if scissors are applied to its branches at regular intervals. Far more shoots have to be removed than is usual with free-standing fruit trees. Nobody can do this indiscriminately.
How espalier fruit is best cut varies greatly depending on the type of fruit
Determine scaffolding structure
A young tree sprouts in all directions. In addition, each specimen develops an individually constructed crown. When cutting espalier fruit, it is important to select which shoots may remain whole and which, on the other hand, must be shortened or even completely removed. In the first years of life, these training cuts ensure that a load-bearing branch structure is built up.
Trellis shape dictates the cut
All espalier fruit varieties must grow in two dimensions, i. H. flat. In addition, there are various ways of "positioning" the branches and forming them into a desired type of scaffolding. Before the first cut is made, the decision for a trellis shape should have been made. The following are among others to choose from:
- cordon
- U palmette
- Branching U Palmette
- Verrier Palmette
- arbor trellis
- Free trellis
Cutting different types of fruit
Apples and pears are the classic espalier fruit par excellence. They can be trained well as cordons or in U-shapes because their wood remains vital for years.
On the other hand, varieties such as peaches and apricots, which have a shorter-lived fruit wood, are usually grown as fanned trellises on a house wall.
If you buy trees that have already been preformed by the tree nursery, then further pruning measures will be easier for you.
Notice:
A strong-growing cherry as espalier fruit, for example, has to be cut several times a year.
maintain trellis
After the basic structure of the branches has been fully established, it must be cared for and maintained with the right cut. These maintenance cuts are usually carried out in summer. Not every miscut can be corrected afterwards. Therefore, you should first find out in detail which cutting rules apply to the selected shape.