We want to enjoy the summer unseen in our garden, so we need a privacy screen. Trellis fruit is a good idea and also attracts with delicious fruits. It is ideal for small gardens because the available space is planted sensibly.

Trellis fruit can also be planted as a hedge

Suitable fruit varieties

All local types of fruit such as apples, pears, plums, cherries, etc. are well suited for the espalier form. Climbing fruit such as kiwi and grapes can also quickly form an opaque wall. If you like to nibble on berry bushes, you can also pull them as a privacy screen.

Notice:
Please note that fruit trees up to a height of 60 cm do not provide privacy. Up to this height there is only the trunk, no branches with leaves.

Combine fruits

So that nobody moans about a big apple harvest, the hedge can grow in a colorful mix. If the trellis length is sufficient, simply plant all your favorite fruit varieties. Let the tree nursery advise you on which espalier fruit varieties harmonize well with each other.

Distance from tree to tree

How large the planting distance between two trees within a trellis must be cannot be answered in general terms. The following aspects play a role:

  • fruit tree species
  • selected trellis shape

Clarify both points before buying or planting and get advice from specialist retailers about appropriate planting distances. With a simple U-shape, more trees can be planted. So the hedge grows faster.

Distance to neighboring property

An espalier fruit hedge as a privacy screen is usually placed at the property boundary so that the entire garden is protected from prying eyes. For fruit trees, a certain distance to the neighboring property is usually maintained. In most federal states, however, this does not apply to espalier fruit, or to a much lesser extent. This is also an advantage of trellis fruit.

Build trellis

Fruit trees require scaffolding so that they can be formed on it. You can build the scaffolding yourself. For this you need several stable wooden posts that you anchor in the ground at certain intervals and wire that you stretch between them in several rows. The scaffolding should be in place before the trees are planted.

tips

The best time for planting espalier fruit is from October to March, on a frost-free day.

Category:

Vegetable garden