How to Prune a Cordon Espalier Tree

Although the format looks difficult, pruning a cordon espalier fruit tree not only decreases the need for the space usually required for fruit tree production, it also increases your fruit bearing tree's yield.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bamboo canes
• Wire
• Pruning shears

1. Wire a bamboo cane about 10 feet long at the same angle you planted the tree. Tie a soft string around the cane and the stem.

2. Run 4 horizontal wires the length of your row. This will be used to lower the tree's angle as it grows.

3. Prune as growth becomes mature, usually in mid to late summer, but sometimes not until early fall. Mature growth has a woody base and has darker green foliage. If you prune in summer, you may need to prune again in late fall.

4. Cut each lateral to three leaves above the base. Cut back mature side growth to one leaf from the base. Do not prune the main stem. Thin the cordons in winter by cutting back to the parent stem if overcrowding is a problem.

5. Untie your cordon in late spring when it grows beyond the top wire. Reattach it to a lower angle. Be sure not to lower the tree any more than 10 degrees or it may break. When you can't lower the branch any farther, cut back the tip to 1/2-inch above a bud.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant your cordons about 3 feet apart at about a 45 degree angle from the ground. Rows of cordons should be at least 6 feet apart.