Summer Pruning at the Dwarf Apple Espalier
Here in Bedford, New York, it's going to be another hot, humid, dry weekend with temperatures in the 90s. Despite the uncomfortable summer weather, everyone is doing what they can to maintain the many gardens, groves, allées, and espaliers.
This time of year, everyone is weeding, watering, and pruning. When it comes to pruning, there are different strategies for different times of the year, but overall the goals are the same - to control the shape, to keep bushes and trees fresh and open, and to allow for better air circulation through the center of the specimen. My outdoor grounds crew has already pruned the sculpted hornbeam hedges near my main greenhouse and Winter House as well as the large European beech hedge surrounding my pool. Next, the team tackled the apple espaliers and lilac standards behind my long carport.
Enjoy these photos. And be sure to check out my TikTok @MarthaStewart to see me pruning the Asian pear espalier by my stable!
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- When I first moved to Bedford, I found a perfect location to plant a little orchard of espalier apple trees – this space behind my long carport not far from my Winter House. Espalier refers to an ancient technique, resulting in trees that grow flat, either against a wall, or along a wire-strung framework.
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- These espalier apples have done wonderfully here. They’re supported on wire attached to strong antique granite posts from China originally used as grape supports. There are four rows of espaliered apples.
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- Here are some of the many apples already growing. The apple tree is a deciduous tree in the rose family best known for its sweet, pomaceous fruit, the apple. I have many different varieties growing at my farm. During a good apple season, my granddaughter Jude and I make lots and lots of cider.
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- The leaves of apple trees are ovate and dark green with asymmetrical leaf bases. The leaf margins are curved and serrated.
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- Here’s Phurba working from the top – one can see all the new growth that needs trimming.
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- When he prunes, Phurba cuts branches at a 45 to 60 degree angle. He is also using pruners for this job. I always prefer hand tools that will give my trees a more natural appearance and shape. Every gardener and member of my outdoor grounds crew has a pair.
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- Chhiring works from the ground – it’s very hot out, so an umbrella provides some good shade. Pruning encourages the tree to grow fruiting spurs by eliminating competing suckers and unproductive wood.
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- As with any pruning project, it’s important to cut the three “Ds” – dead, diseased, and damaged branches. He also cuts any suckers which helps to keep the tree healthy and directs energy to the branches with fruiting buds.
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- The final cut on each unwanted bough needs to be alongside the “branch collar”, where the branch intersects with another. Growth cells concentrate in these nodes, causing fast bark regrowth which seals the cuts.
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- The job takes a couple days to complete, but it is done carefully and thoughtfully. Look at all the cut branches from just one row of dwarf apple trees.
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- Here are more apples growing – I am hoping for a bountiful fruit season this fall.
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- Chhiring uses my Stainless Steel Multi-Purpose Folding Pruning Saw available at Martha.com. The 8-inch blade, crafted from Japanese stainless steel, features a strong cross-cutting design for sawing in both directions. I always make sure my crew gets to use and test the products I design.
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- Here, Chhiring cuts branches that are rubbing or crisscrossing each other, preventing any healthy new growth. Basically, the goal is to create a tree with well spaced lateral branches. Any branches which interfere with the tree’s shape or create a dense framework should be removed.
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- Chhiring also focuses on removing crowded branches to help let in light and promote good air circulation.
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- From the carriage road, one can see the pruned trees in the front and the area still to be pruned in the back. My long carport is behind the espaliered apple trees. I hang a series of bird feeders along this side of the carport for all the visiting birds – about 125 different species of birds visit my feeders.
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- There is a lot of pruning to do on these trees – they are healthy and have produced a lot of growth in the last six months. Phurba works from the ground to get under a bit of shade. This day’s temperatures hit 94-degrees Fahrenheit.
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- By this day’s end, every row is cut just right – here’s a view from the top. I am so proud of how productive these trees are – in part because of the excellent maintenance care we give them.
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- And here’s a view from the side. It looks much better now after pruning.
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- These are the leaves of my ‘Miss Kim’ lilac standards. Lilac leaves feature smooth, hairless, heart-shaped leaves.
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- In front of the apple espalier, I have several ‘Miss Kim’ lilac standards lining the edge of the carriage road. Phurba did a great job pruning these also. ‘Miss Kim’ is one of the first dwarf cultivars. It was originated from seeds imported from South Korea. In spring, these trees feature long panicles of sweetly scented lavender blooms that burst from purple buds. I am so glad the gardens are looking beautiful this year – everyone is working hard. Now, if we could just get some more rain!!
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