espaliered trees...not for beginners?

I've always loved espaliered trees, and I'm thinking why not try it...what's the worst that could happen? My question is is it ok to plant against a garage with a foundation? My husband was afraid it would hurt the foundation, but how big do the roots get on these dwarf trees? If they get big, I'll stick with putting climbing roses there.....(it's all sun, all day).

What kind of tree are you considering and how close do you plan to put it to the foundation?

a dwarf apple tree....the area is a raised bed, about 4 feet deep and probably 20 long. So it could be a foot or two from the garage....I read that you plant it 6 inches from any wall or fence, but it could be further out than that, although it probably wouldn't want to be right at the edge of the bed...that would look funny, too.

Lynnie6868, have you put your tree in? I'd love a pic of your apples! I love espaliered tree and shrubs, I plan on putting several in. I'm thinking of using camellias, keiffer limes (I think I have a microclimate that will be warm enough for them in the winter) and was going to do pyracantha - BUT have a problem with wet soil. Any ideas for this damp area? Oh, I've heard English Hornbeam is great for espaliering! I haven't found anyone who sells them or knows of where to buy them. There are some terrific pictures of the hornbeams when you google.

Hi, no I haven't put my tree in yet...I decided not to put it against the garage, so I'm waiting for my husband to install a shed and I'll put it against that. I'm just not sure if the roots would interfere with the garage foundation. I saw espaliered apple trees in a couple of different nurseries here. You can try to train your own from a sapling, there are books & articles on it, I would think a shrub would be quicker than a tree, just because it would be faster growing. Plus if you buy a little one & train it yourself, it's that much cheaper. What a cool fence that would make, huh? A line of your favorite shrubs espaliered on a fence. That would be work though! lol

I've settled on camellias. I'll wait for the fall, hopefully saplings will be available!. How are you doing? Did you plant your apple trees yet? I'd love an update.

no, it's been raining here for a month straight! I'll probably be doing that project in the fall also. Camellias sound very nice! I saw a picture of a manhattan euonymous trained as an espalier on a fence, it was pretty cool!

Lynnie, have you seen vossner's espalier ( Post #6153069)? Impressive. I finally planted my camelia sasanquas, I'm thrilled! Now I have to wait five years, ah but that will give me lots to prune. I do love to prune!!!! How is your project going?

vossner
Richmond, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 17, 2009
07:59 PM

Post #6153069

Hi Mightyscott, I'm searching all over for that post, can't find it (when I search by post # it comes back here).
Those camellias will look awesome I bet! That's so exciting!
Between vacations & school starting, I've only planted a few more rose bushes right where I was thinking about putting the espaliered tree. If I had thought of the tree before making the raised bed, I could have made it to fit it in, but I built first & thought afterwards lol...here's a pic

Hey Lynne the raised bed looks great! I love the flagstone (is that right?). What is planted on the trellis?
If you want to see vossners espalier try; PlantFiles Pictures: Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) vossner, should be the first post, # 6153069
Here's a pic of my newly planted espalier!

Thanks Mightyscott, the middle is also a pink rose, William Baffin, a climber. I wanted a mass of one color. The four shrubs next to it are double pink knockouts ( the 2 on either end were just planted) and they're blooming machines lol
That espalier is AWESOME! How did you decide on the shape? What material is it made of? How did you attach it to the brick wall? Is that the side of your house? That's just going to be stunning.

I knew I wanted diamonds. Somewhere in my travels I have seen a diamond shaped espalier, can't remember where. The trellis stumped me for awhile. My Hubbie came up with the idea of using Tapcon screws and I found the bamboo at Lowes. As soon as the branches are trained to the second row of screws, I'll remove the bamboo to the third row. No strings or wires, yeah! ( I was afraid we wouldn't be able to get the wire or string taut enough to make me happy.)

I'm watching the poor camelias for signs of stress. So far none. I really cut them up rather severely, probably at the worst time possible. I just couldn't wait. My husband couldn't watch, it was killing him!

I love the knockout roses, so beautiful for such a long time. Congratulations.