Two tier espalier as supplied

Espalier trained trees consist of a vertical stem and a set of horizontal arms or tiers extending either way bearing short lateral branches or spurs on which fruit is produced.

Espaliers are useful as a decorative feature on walls and fences. The shape is brought about by pruning and training. The arms would typically be 18 inches (0.5m) apart. Mature espalier trees usually have between two and six tiers giving heights of 5ft (1.5m) to 10ft (3m). The span can range from 10ft (3m) to 15ft (4.5m).

Espalier trees need a set of horizontal wires for support. They also need appropriate summer pruning to maintain and develop the form. Espalier training is usually done with apple and pear trees. Plums, cherries and other stone fruit trees are less suited to espalier training and are more commonly trained as fans. 

We supply a range of two tier espalier apple and pear trees. These will have two sets of arms already partly trained and a continuing centre leader which would allow more sets of arms to be trained if required. They are supplied bare-root in the autumn and winter. As there is usually a very limited supply of these ready trained trees we advise ordering early. Please click for a list of all available espalier trained trees.

Alternatively you can train you own. To do so you need to start with a maiden (untrained one year old) tree on a suitable rootstock. The rootstock most commonly used for apples is MM106, although M26 can be used for smaller espaliers and MM111 for very large ones. Quince A is the commonly used rootstock for pears, but smaller espaliers can be on Quince C. Most varieties are suitable for training, but tip bearers should be avoided. You can find out if a variety is a tip or spur bearer by referring to the characteristics page for that variety on our website.