Espalier Apple Trees

On the fence by the vegetable gardens we have got some apple trees that we are training to grow along the wires. This is called Espalier and is a way of maximising how much fruit we can get off a tree when there is only limited space.

The branches get bent over and tied to the wires using soft material. The branches then grow that way so that if the cloth rots away the branches stay in that position. It is a slow process!!

The students that watched me bending the branches and tying them down were worried I was going to snap the branches, but by doing this often the branches are moved when they are young and flexible.

I wonder if we will get any apples this year?