Espalier Apple Trees

Growth Habit: When growing espalier, you will often be pruning lush growth and so may want to avoid tip- bearing varieties (varieties that bear fruits at the ends of the branches mostly). However, even tip- bearers can be trained by pruning in the summer (rather than while dormant in the winter) to develop fruiting spurs lower on the branches. Spur, "spur types", and semi- spur varieties are suitable for espalier that is winter pruned.

Rootstocks: You should use a rootstock that creates the size tree you are anticipating; if for example you have a large trellis going up the side of a barn, then a semi- dwarf may not be too large. For chest or head high espalier however you would use a dwarfing rootstock such as Bud 9, or Bud 9/antonovka interstem.

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Spur bearing varieties