Trelliss to espalier pear trees

[TnAndy]

Espalier is the ancient horticultural art of pruning and training a tree or shrub to grow flat against a support. I have a 7' high retainer wall below my driveway doing nothing, so last year I set out 4 pear trees at the base of it, spaced about 20' apart. Couple days ago, I got started on the trellis work. I drilled 2 rows of 17 1" holes 4" deep in the 12" concrete filled block, about 5' apart. Cut 34 pcs of 3/4" (ID) black iron pipe 12" long, and drove them in the holes along with some expoxy cement to make sure they stay. Hard as it was to get them in the holes, I don't think they will coming out, even w/o the expoxy.

Then I put a slight bend (wall has a radius) in some 1" pipe (got a real deal on a whole bunch of scrap pipe at a local plumbing supply a while back.....probably thousand + bucks worth of metal for 100 bucks) and MIG welded it to the stubbed out 3/4" pcs.

Now I'll get a couple coats of Rustoleum galvanizing paint (to keep the heat down on the metal), let that dry a while, then slowly start bending the new branches horizontal instead the straight up vertical pears like to grow. Hope in a few years to have the wall covered with pear branches.

In addition to just being fun, I'm hoping the retained heat sink of this south facing wall will help mitigate late spring frosts we're prone to get here that kill off fruit blossoms and fruit buds. Time will tell.

 

[MossRoad]

I've always wanted to do that with apple trees but never had the wall to put it on. Will be watching your progress for the next few years. Thanks, and it looks great! :thumbsup:

 

[farmeratheart]

Espalier is the ancient horticultural art of pruning and training a tree or shrub to grow flat against a support. I have a 7' high retainer wall below my driveway doing nothing, so last year I set out 4 pear trees at the base of it, spaced about 20' apart. Couple days ago, I got started on the trellis work. I drilled 2 rows of 17 1" holes 4" deep in the 12" concrete filled block, about 5' apart. Cut 34 pcs of 3/4" (ID) black iron pipe 12" long, and drove them in the holes along with some expoxy cement to make sure they stay. Hard as it was to get them in the holes, I don't think they will coming out, even w/o the expoxy.

Then I put a slight bend (wall has a radius) in some 1" pipe (got a real deal on a whole bunch of scrap pipe at a local plumbing supply a while back.....probably thousand + bucks worth of metal for 100 bucks) and MIG welded it to the stubbed out 3/4" pcs.

Now I'll get a couple coats of Rustoleum galvanizing paint (to keep the heat down on the metal), let that dry a while, then slowly start bending the new branches horizontal instead the straight up vertical pears like to grow. Hope in a few years to have the wall covered with pear branches.

In addition to just being fun, I'm hoping the retained heat sink of this south facing wall will help mitigate late spring frosts we're prone to get here that kill off fruit blossoms and fruit buds. Time will tell.

That looks very interesting! Like Moss, I have no place where that would make sense. However, you are making judicious use of your space. Well done. I too will be watching for your progress.

Frank

 

[oosik]

Some of the newer orchards in the Okanogan valley are trellised. It looks exactly like a grape arbor situation until you get right up next to it. There are definite advantages - has to be - because its a substantial added cost to the normal layout.

 

[TnAndy]

Some of the newer orchards in the Okanogan valley are trellised. It looks exactly like a grape arbor situation until you get right up next to it. There are definite advantages - has to be - because its a substantial added cost to the normal layout.

I'm sure picking labor is an issue.....much easier to pick, or prune for that matter, if it's lower to the ground. That was one of my considerations. Pear trees have a tendency to grow almost straight up, and I'm to the age that ladders are not my friend .

 

[mapper]

Espalier with dwarf fruit trees results in more fruit per acre than traditional orchards. I have 5 dwarf pear trees (Not espalier) that when the weather is right at blossom time produce about fifty pounds of fruit per tree.
Your project looks like a great use of the space and will be very nice looking when the trees grow into it. When you get a huge crop it will also protect the trees from the breakage that can occur in unsupported trees.
As a side note a few mason bee blocks near your trees helps with pollination, around here the mason bees are out and about earlier than the honey bees.

 

[EddieWalker]

Never heard of this before and I'm looking forward to following your progress.

 

[MossRoad]

Check out this link to pictures of espalier. Some very cool stuff.

espalier - Google Search

 

[BlackOps]

most of my trees are espaliered on wires like my vineyard.

 

[TnAndy]

most of my trees are espaliered on wires like my vineyard.

How do you like it ? Are the trees of bearing age yet, and what do you think of production.

We had 1,000 grape vines out about 30 years ago, trying to raise wine grapes for a local winery that went under about the time ours really started bearing. With no local market for french wine grapes, I took all the trellis/posts/etc down, bushhogged the grapes off and put some cows on the new pasture. Gotten a whole lot more freezer beef out of that area than we ever made off grapes.

 

[BlackOps]

there are numerous issues and a lot of work. i will try to get back to you in a day or two - i have a very sick dog i am dealing with and have to get him to vet for surgery or worse tomorrow early AM. wish i had that many vines so i could have enough wine for myself for a year. though too much work for a one man band. sounds great though. i am a pinot lover. and too hot and cold
where i live for it....

 

[forgeblast]

There is a place that we You-Pick apples at. It is all espalier and its just amazing how much they can get get in a small space. Nice work!!

 

[BlackOps]

ok dog was rushed to the vet just now so a bit of comment while he is getting x-rayed etc.

the maintenance is a bear.. production is less but technically higher quality. the shoots are a nightmare. i did it for netting like the vineyard for squirrels which devour my stuff. but the shoots grow into the betting worse than grapes and it takes days and weeks to get them off and you end up tearing high end stuff in 1 season. looks great. peaches and plums are difficult due to fruit appears on newer growth but then how do you try to keep them in shape and still get fruit. sometimes it works. i am actually starting to remove the [osts and wires and take a few out that are not working or in my way for my tractor and garden use - and maybe just let them grow and do their thing. i have 1 fig that is working great and 2 others i had to remove for tractor access to my side vineyard - 1 row to access. in a more ideal environment and maybe less trees and also no varmints - gray rats squirrels - maybe it would be a lot better. picking is easier with the espaliered how can one get access to the tops easily of a normal tree? you can get more trees in a smaller space which is a plus. again you have to figure out what will work. ideally i love the concept. reality -- phew!