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Andyvancleve (talk | contribs) →History: added "or perhaps even thousands of years" which you have to consider when you think; how long has mankind been drinking wine. |
Andyvancleve (talk | contribs) →Species choices: I gave this example as an ideal species because its most important to complete each part of your espalier design in a single growing season.~~~~ |
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[[Image:DSCN3598 espalieredpeartree e.JPG|200px|left|thumb|A [[pear]] tree espaliered into a cordon. The picture was taken in the garden of [[the Cloisters]] in upper [[Manhattan]]]]
In a given region, any species of plant that grows at the required growth rate, to finish training within a single season, might be good espalier candidates. Certain types of plants adapt better to this practice than others do, but almost any woody plant can be trained to grow along a flat plane by removing growth outside that plane.<ref name=IFAS/>
Horizontal T training of an apple or pear tree is a good example of the ideal species for espalier. In the spring the tree is pruned to the lowest wire perhaps 15 to 18 inches above the ground. During the summer, buds lengthen into branches; one trained vertically to the next wire while others are trained along the wires. Unnecessary buds are removed by rubbing them away with your thumb. In autumn the side branches are lowered and tied to the wires completing the level. The following year another level is created. So the ideal species for training to espalier is one where each part of the grand design can be completed in a single growing season.
Suggested species for espalier include:
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