Espaliered fruit trees are the perfect way to turn a small area into an orchard garden. You do not need a lot of space – you can even grow espaliered fruit trees in container gardens. You don’t even really need a wall, a fence will do. Or a balcony railing, given enough sun. It’s amazing how much less space an espaliered tree takes up. And the incredible amount of fruit that you can harvest from one.
It’s really a sustainable method of fruit growing, producing much more fruit per square foot. Pick a sunny spot – you can do it on a balcony in a pot but only if you actually get sun. It’s the ideal urban garden. You can buy young espaliered fruit trees at most nurseries, some are even hybrids of two or three types of a single fruit (such as a combo Delicious/Granny Smith/Fuji apple, for example). Do pick a fruit that is suited to your climate. BHG has a great visual guide to espalier design styles online. You can choose the classic espaliered tree shape or the fan or the candelabra – depending on your space situation and your sunlight. Or make your own design. Follow along below to see espaliered apples, oranges, lemons, pomegranates, pears, peaches, cherries and olives. You can do figs, too.
Apple Works Well as an Espaliered Fruit Tree
Apples are the choice for espaliered fruit trees, especially in climates that support strong apple growth. This example shows a Gala apple. Source
These espaliered trees hug the fence – and they don’t shade the yard like a full fruit tree would. Leaf cleanup is also more centralized. All the more reason. Source
The Crab Apple is an easy espalier. People go crazy for crab apple jelly and this tree would be an easy one to do on a terrace in the city. Source
Espaliered fruit trees (pear and apple) in narrow space – you can really trim them as short as you need to. And they’ll grow horizontally. Source
Citrus is a Little Tougher to Grow but Worth It
This Tangelo would so well in the southern states. Anywhere you can grow a regular tree, you can espalier. Source
These espaliered box orange trees are a great choice for a patio or small terrace. Source
You can plant espaliered fruit trees in a big pot and put it anywhere you would plant a container garden. Citrus works best. Source
This espaliered orange is part of the landscape design. Such a lovely Mediterranean feel. Source
Espaliered lemon and pomegranate give a constant harvest. Source
Pears are a Good Fruit to Choose
Blooming pear blossoms in a small candelabra style frame – perfect for a small patio space. Source
You don’t have to follow convention when you espalier your tree. This great design was done with a pear tree. Source
You can use any wall you’ve got that gets adequate sun. And the best part is, you don’t give up any of your sun in the rest of your garden – there’s no shade from espaliered trees. Source
As espaliered fruit trees go, the pear does very well. Source
Pear in fruit – what a monster harvest. Source
Plums are Attractive Espaliered Trees
Fan-trained espaliered plum. Source
Plum in full fruit – another prolific espaliered fruit tree. Source
Peaches Can Be Prolific
Peaches can be espaliered – this example shows one sculpted to a wire fence. Source
Isn’t this a beautiful looking peach harvest? We love the espaliered tree bearing fruit against the brick. Source
Everyone Loves a Cherry Tree
Espaliered cherry tree in bloom against a garage wall.
Espaliered cherry tree in fruit. Source
Espaliered Olive Tree
An espaliered olive tree isn’t for everyone. But it’s a nice landscaping touch. Source
And finally, we have a full grown espalied pear tree – how long must he have been there. The flowers on the 2nd floor window boxes obscure the photo a bit, but this tree is loaded with pear. Source
