The apple tree is the front runner when it comes to the most popular fruit tree species in this country. It is usually planted as a free-standing specimen, but it also puts up with being trained as a trellis. Does he have any special wishes in this case?

Trellis apples should ideally stand free

Suitable apple varieties

There are over 20,000 apple varieties across Europe. Of course, not all of them are offered in a tree nursery, but the choice is still enormous. Don't worry, you can easily train all apple varieties as espalier fruit. All you have to do is decide which variety you like best.

The ideal location and soil

Trellis apple should grow freely in the garden. It is less suitable for a trellis on a house wall. If so, then it should be a west face. On the southern walls, the heat is too much for him, the apples are "cooked".

The ideal soil for an apple tree should be as follows:

  • profound
  • rich in humus
  • wet

The best planting time

The best time to plant espalier fruit is between October and March. Be sure to plant on a frost-free day.

Buy espalier apple tree

Apple trees are offered by tree nurseries, garden centers or in numerous online shops. Since espalier apples are often in demand, there are already pre-grown trees available for purchase. The rest of the cut at home builds on that.

Provide trellis

The apple tree needs a solid trellis to which its branches can be fixed. You can build the trellis fruit stand yourself or buy prefabricated elements in the hardware store and assemble them in the garden.

Plant apple tree

  • Dig a planting hole
  • about twice the size of the root ball
  • loosen the soil well
  • Put compost in the planting hole
  • Put the tree in straight
  • Fill in the gaps with soil and press down
  • water thoroughly

tips

Maintain a minimum distance of 2 m between two espalier trees. The distance to the scaffold should be about 40 cm.

Category:

Vegetable garden