Espalier Fruit
Facades bearing fruit? Yes, of course! The cultivation of espalier fruit is centuries-old; our ancestors trellised fruit trees against walls in remarkably efficient ways. This art of trellising is however the queen of facade greening, requiring expertise, lots of care, and not a small dose of passion ~ generally belonging in the domain of enthusiasts. The person who is prepared to not only invest time, but also to overcome setbacks, should go for it! The rewards are generous. Read on to learn about the art of cultivating fruit on your trellis, and which fruits are possible...
Espalier Fruit for Walls -- General Information
You only have a small property, yet you still want to grow some fruit? Or are you eager to grow that special variety that you've only found in your grandfather's garden and never in the market? In both cases, espalier fruit are a solution. Either for your house or backyard wall, here is a little orientation...
Espalier Fruit: on a wall or free-standing?
If you would like to cultivate espalier fruit on a wall or facade, seek the advice of a specialist and/or read thoroughly about the subject. The choice of the right fruit and even the right cultivar is crucial for success. The fruits shouldn't be ready for harvest right when you are on vacation, or when the same fruit is available for cheap at the market anyway! And then there's the maintenance of the tree... Fruits cultivated on a free-standing trellis in the garden aren't as sweet, are fewer, and reach maturity later in the season, but will also require less work. This can be an easier and more practical alternative to facade-grown fruit.
Espalier Fruit on Walls
Why should fruits be cultivated next to a wall anyway? A sunny wall creates conditions that fruit trees otherwise only find in southern countries. The wall is protected from the wind, and the stone walls accumulate warmth in the day to the benefit of the vegetation. Many types of fruit trees thrive in these conditions if they have an adequate water supply.
Requirements
By carefully selecting the cultivar, you can find a fruit for any wall. As a rule of thumb: grapevines, pears, and peaches profit from the blazing sun even at midday and can be grown on hot south-facing or west-facing walls. Apples, cherries, plums, and apricots prefer not to be 'baked' in this way. They quickly lose their aroma and tanginess (acidity). Apricots then bloom too early and become susceptible to late frost. Partially shaded walls are sufficient for these fruits. Undemanding summer pears and cherries even thrive on shady north walls!
Difficulty
Fruit trees require more or less optimal conditions to thrive on a wall. The following fruit trees are listed from most difficult to less difficult (to grow as espalier fruit): late grapevine, late winter pear, late winter apple, peach, fig, late autumn pear, real kiwi, winter apple, early grapevine, peach, early autumn peach, autumn apple, blackberries, apricot, summer pear, sweet cherry, summer apple, sour cherry. If winter varieties are grown as espalier trees, however, appropriate storage conditions must also be available!
