An ancient technique, pruning the espalier trees on my farm
When I first moved to Bedford, I found a perfect location to plant a little orchard of espalier apple trees. Espalier refers to an ancient technique, resulting in trees that grow flat, either against a wall, or along a wire-strung framework. Many kinds of trees respond beautifully to the espalier treatment, but fruit trees, like apple and pear, were some of the earliest examples. During the Middle Ages, entire villages lived behind protective walls, and to save on precious space, orchards were planted and trained right up against the inner face of the ramparts. Due to the extra warmth of the sun radiating off the walls, the growing season was extended, and the fruit more abundant. Because necessary sunlight reaches every piece of fruit that these trees bear, espalier pruning remains standard procedure at commercial orchards in France.
Unfortunately, for the past couple of years, my espalier orchard went untended and became severely overgrown. When Shaun, the new gardener arrived, he took interest in their condition and assured me that he could make them look good again. I think he's done a very fine job.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Did the trees still bear fruit when they were not being cared for? Was there a reason that they were not tended to? Your garden always looks lovely, I was wondering how tall your peonies are at the moment, as mine are already at 3 foot, and it seems very early for them. Any ideas?
Have a great weekend Martha.
Pru
Posted by: Pru | April 17th, 2009 at 7:15 am
Hi Martha,
Your pruning photos are proof that spring has arrived! I enjoy yard work a lot and I pruned a few shrubs last week.
I also enjoy decorating and crafts a lot and I have to mention that your show on weddings was fabulous! I am a new fan of David Monn ...he is a genius with his work!
I love your craft site and I would like to invite fellow bloggers to participate in the craft contest for a chance to win Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts book.
~Gloria
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport | April 17th, 2009 at 8:35 am
hmm, i always thought that apple trees should be pruned when it's cold. here in finland the rule has been between november and march. our trees are in a desperate need of pruning...
Posted by: liisamarja | April 17th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Wow looks like your at half inch green! What variety are the apples?
Posted by: Kim | April 17th, 2009 at 9:09 am
George Washington's estate, Mount Vernon, which sits just outside of Washington, DC, has an entire orchard of fruit trees that is maintained in this style. Definitely visit if you get a chance.
Posted by: Emily | April 17th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Might be such an inappropriate and probing question but what happen to your previous Gardener? I read blogs - I got a curious mind. LOL
Posted by: Norbie K. Las Vegas | April 17th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I would like to have an Apple tree when I have a yard again. I was actually eyeing a banana tree at the nursery the other day to take home as I loved their appearance. After a little of research I just may go pick one up!
Posted by: Kari | April 17th, 2009 at 11:02 am
I love how espaliered trees look...so charming. Nice that Shaun has taken such care and given his expertise to bring them back to looking the way they should. I wish you a healthy crop!
Posted by: Sherey | April 17th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Bless Shaun's heart...he definitely has his work cut out for him, doesn't he?! What a marked improvement to the trees when we view the very last photo. As we flip over again to the first photo, the before/after effects are remarkable! The trees look really good, Martha!...keep us posted later on as to how they're doing, as they flower and produce fruit. I do love your stone columns at the ends of the rows, incorporating those heavy-guage wires! The espalier system will support them well as the fruits form and ripen and become heavy.
I saw your garage in the background in several pictures, which then reminded me of your bird feeders, which then reminded me to mention... Yesterday on your show (Thurs, 4/16) you featured a great photo of a Cooper's hawk and continued sharing about your different bird residents. Well, I am enamored that YOU HAVE BLUEBIRDS! (and you seemed tickled/prideful to say so), and Joey knew, too! There's no way that you could NOT, as your habitat is p-e-r-f-e-c-t for them. I live in 'town', and my chance to have a bluebird visitor is slim, due to a different setup that the suburbs offer. Oh, they're soooo rewarding and have a beautiful little warbly song. Another bird that I'll never have in town is the wood thrush, which resonates with a clear, flute-like warble. I KNOW you have them too - they like to be elusive in the woods and aren't (usually) visitors to the backyard feeder. Listen sometime, when you're out on Rutger, Rinze, or Meindert...listen to all the wonderful woodland sounds in nature!
Get those bluebird boxes up and get that bluebird trail started! [giggle - not meant bossy] I will squeal with delight if I hear of such a report!
=^..^=
"Yes, in the poor man's garden grow far more than herbs and flowers ~ Kind thoughts, contentment, peace of mind, and joy for weary hours."--Mary Howitt
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | April 17th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Hi Kim,
You wanted to know what variety of apples are planted here and all I can tell you is that there are many different kinds.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | April 17th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Hi Martha,
This is so unique and I like the idea of using wire supports rather than growing trees up against a wall. It makes me wonder where the roots will go when they get big; under the house maybe. I have an orange tree that got 'transplanted' after a hurricane and it's growing up between a wall and my cement patio. I cut it down but it keeps coming back so maybe I should try this espalier technique. That would be so neat to have an orange tree on my patio that isn't in a pot.
I hope you sign a lot of your craft books in Northridge. Have a safe and fun trip! Trish
Posted by: Trish | April 17th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Hi Norbie, To answer your question about Jodi, my former gardener - She has moved to Maine and is expecting a baby.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | April 17th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Hi again Martha,
I hope Jodi loves her new surroundings living in Maine.
I moved to Maine two years ago from southern New Hampshire and I find Maine to be a beautiful and quiet state.
~Gloria
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport | April 17th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
My hubby does most of the pruning around here. Since on his job at the tree nursery is to prune.
Coffee is on.
Posted by: peppylady | April 17th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
just lovely ur espaliered trees, we have tried asian pears (pear/apple), the fruit is wonderful and lasts a long time in cold storage, might make 4 a lovely espaliered plant as well.......last year I had bluebirds (have bluebird house in yard) and began feeding them meal worms, soon the daddy bluebird brought his brood throughout the day to feed on the meal worms, I fed them on my deck, it was so much fun & a great photo op, the daddy took on the responsibility of feeding the clan, the mom came but was not that interested in feeding them, in fact, she pushed them away, such is life for the bluebird.....love this website.
Posted by: Charmayne | April 17th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
That's so unique & will surely look beautiful when it's in full bloom. I hope you can show us a picture when that happens, I'd love to see it.
Posted by: Sherry | April 17th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Ok first off your farm is so cool.
Second - I worked in an apple plant directly out of high school for nine months in Yakima ,WA to earn money to go to college and I HATED it. I couldn't eat apples for so many years and I loved apple pie. I used to dream of apples and packed apples in my sleep for YEARS!
Third - My next door neighbor has a big beautiful apple tree she lets go to pot & won't take care of it. The neighbors would love to pick the apples and help her care for the tree no such luck. I find the tree a nightmare as every couple of years the apples fall onto my side of the yard all half eaten by the birds, full of bugs and I must pick them up hundreds of them and the snakes come out rattlers love apple trees ugh! She is a nice neighbor but lazier then all get out!
Four- Have a safe trip out to California this weekend, weather is expected to be in the low 90's the next few days. Bring cool clothes for day and maybe light wear for nights. It was 87 here today and I am sweating here in my office as I write this. I wish your book signing a little closer to me I would have loved to have come. It is some 250 miles from me one way and I can't find anyone to drive me. I can no longer drive- vision impaired now. I had tickets for The Tonight Show in hopes I could talk someone into going down to book signing and show but nobody would take me into that TRAFFIC bummer big time. Maybe your next visit with another book someone will take pity on me - NOT but I can hope so.
Last but of course not least. I was in your show audience for Monday's show April 20th, the spring color show. I sure hope you kept in the entire funny thing that happened if I am not giving anything away. I think most of your die hard viewers know Monday's shows are usually taped and not live.( I was out all day today so haven;t had time to watch today's show Friday's)
I was catching a cold while in NYC and when you were doing what you did I almost choked to death I was laughing so hard and for so long, everyone was. I almost ( excuse me ) wet my britches and I have never done that before. I hope you keep it in but I doubt the entire thing it was so long but the best laugh I have had in such a long time. The entire studio CREW & AUDIENCE were dying with laughter. What a kick in the pants! I hope it was as good as I remember or maybe you had to be there in the moment. Monday will tell the tale or not!
Enjoy your visit to my beautiful state.
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam From California | April 17th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Hi Martha, I love your farm, your farm helpers, your farm animals, your farm plantings, etc., etc., etc.!!! Living on a farm like yours is like living in a dream world! I'd never get tired of all of the things to do, because there is always something new and wonderful going on. In my next life, I sure hope I come back living in that fantastic dream world! Those espalier apple trees that Shaun is working on really look great and I can't wait to see the beautiful apples in the fall! Thanks so much for sharing again. This is so much fun! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | April 18th, 2009 at 12:25 am
Martha,
Are those granite posts?
I want them.
Posted by: tinay | April 18th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Hi Pru,
So sorry for the delay in answering your questions. The sucker growth that was pruned away is just that - it sucks energy from the more productive branches. Those apple trees were not too productive last year. This extreme pruning will, hopefully, revive the budding branching, making them more fruit bearing. The reason the trees went untended was because the gerdeners working here didn't have Shaun's pruning skills.
As far as your peony, it has only just started to get really warm in my neck of the woods and I'm sure that my plants will match yours soon enough. Happy gardening!
Posted by: Martha Stewart | April 18th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Martha, thank you so much for your response. We have now staked the peonies, so hopefully they will weather the windy weather in London.
Looking forward to your next blog.
Thank you again.
Pru
Posted by: Pru | April 19th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Spring is definitely arrived! Your photos prove it!
Posted by: Ivory Pearl Interiors | April 19th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
One day when my child was in elementary school the teacher was asked me to assist and design a bulletin board/display. It was to be a tree and apples with the names of the children would hang from said tree. Well, I twisted paper to fashion thin espaliered trunks and branches and created a set of trees with entwined branches. I know I was dealing with an educated person but she or he --i can't remember --had Never heard of this term espalier. Oh Well, it was my Martha moment --shedding light on this topic and I was definitely thinking out of the box when I made that apple tree!!! I tried to talk them into using pear shapes but they would not have any of it.
Posted by: HBE | April 19th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I live on a farm in the Fingerlakes region of NY which is owned by a friend. He has acres and acres of espalied apples. When he first planted them I commented on how beautiful they were. He called it growing on wire.I then gave him the history as Martha did in her blog. He was facinated. I love the way Martha always gives us the history of the subject she is talking about. You will have a huge harvest this year now that they are pruned . Now pray for the bees to do their thing. Love your gardening blogs Martha, Many thanks
Posted by: martha Iszard | April 30th, 2009 at 7:33 am
This is our 1st year growing espalier (6 fruit trees). So far, so good. Espalier orchards tend to live and produce longer. Healthy espalier orchards are attributed to the regular pruning and attention each tree needs.
Lovely hobby.
Posted by: MAYBELLINE | June 2nd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Cool!
Posted by: Kedpeade | July 5th, 2009 at 12:23 am
Hi Martha - How far apart are your trees planted. I have 18' that I want to plant and have ordered two trees, but think that three might be more appropriate.
Thank you.
Posted by: Pennie Haase | March 18th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Dear Martha,
Could Sean and you please demonstrate/explain how to prune established expalier fruit trees that are not over grown. I have pear, apple, and cherry trees. I am having difficulty finding good examples and clearly outlined pruning procedures on line or in books.
Thank you so much,
Teresa Giovanzana
San Jose, CA
Posted by: Teresa Giovanzana | February 19th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Years ago I saw Martha Stewart plant a dutch apple fence. The trees were Y-shaped plantings and were spaced side by side and tied together and grew into a fence. Why can I find absolutely nothing about this anywhere? I would like to try one, what variety of tree do you use? Thankyou, John Meadows Oil City, Pa.
Posted by: John Meadows | April 13th, 2011 at 12:29 pm