I have 5 trees. Thre seperate species of plum, a lemon and a young orange. If you are concerned that the quantity of fruit may be an issue. Don't worry about that. You will still get plenty. Give yourself a height requirement (maximum) before you start.

"espalier" is pretty broad given the various training techniques.

I would guess I get about half the fruit of what I get on a free standing tree of the same combination.

We now have ~8 apples and pears espaliered and some more free standing that are multi grafted with numerous more varieties (~20 varieties total).

Our espaliers are free form (somewhat fan shaped as not to draw attention to the neighbors) 2-dimensional to 9' tall. I have wires about every 18" starting 2.5 feet up to 9'

Hi hepcatwilly!

I have about 40 apple trees & one sour cherry. Hoping to plant a peach tree or three another year:)

I have not posted pics of my baby fan-trained sour cherry, but here are links to two pics of my apples. The apple hedge is about 8Âtall.


Belgium Fence in Bloom
Belgium Fence with Bagged Apples

The apple espalier pics are a couple years old. The trees have more fruit spurs now, but look similar.

Regards,
PoseyPlanter

I'm new to fruit trees but have around 20 espaliered with about 8 more going in this season.

Poseyplanter,

Nice Belgian fence. I have one in its second year. I don't think mine is quite as perfect as yours.

I have about 80 apple varieties on Belgian Fence, and I can't think of a better way to grow them. They're between me and my neighbor out front, and I was going to put a redwood fence there instead; the apples are much more attractive, more durable, and they give apples! (Oh yeah, it was a lot cheaper than a wood fence).

I have only one wire at the top, and the rest is trained on bamboo sticks tied together (buy them in 500 pc. bulk and they're really cheap). In August you pinch any side shoots back to three buds, and it usually sets a fruit bud. They are very productive for the little space they take up, and you are able to spot trouble much easier.

They are perfect for anyone in a wheelchair, and can be kept any height. I used Bud. 9 rootstock. Once you get the wire set up and the sticks poked in the ground, you just pick two shoots and train them up the bamboo. The first year is the hardest, and after that it's not much trouble at all. Maybe I should pull down my back fence and put one there too...

Wow, that Belgian Fence is really beautiful PoseyPlanter! I've never seen anything like that, it's a really elegant idea.

Tell me, did you folks graft them yourself or purchase whips?

What kind of yields do you get? I'm thinking about 4-8 trees, 1-2 varieties each. Will that yield enough for a family of four? Not thinking of canning, just munching. Of course, I want more, but my budget intervenes.

Thank you again!

Mine were started from Benchgrafts, and reached the top wire the first season and bore the second. They were cheap, $10 each. We have many varieties and the harvest is spread out over seven months. You will want more trees.

Applenut

Hepcat, I've got two espaliered Pears. Don't get any fruit. The raccoons get 'em all.

George
www.HeirloomOrchardist.com

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your kind words regarding the Belgium Fence. IÂm hoping to see more blossoms this year. I see one branch that IÂm wondering if it may be infected with Fire Blight  on one of the supposedly disease resistant cultivars, of course. WeÂll see.

Hi Hepcatwilly,

I have no idea how many apples my planting currently produces. I have bagged hundreds of apples, but some of the trees are still not yet bearing fruit. I have 30+ different varieties in the hedge. Some varieties that produce spurs easily, like Arkansas Black, produced fruit spurs easily the first season they were planted. Others like Gold Rush and SpiGold are semi-spur type and are taking a lot more care and pruning before producing more than a few apples.

I purchased all the apple trees as bare root whips/feathered maidens from Cummins Nursery. They cost between $9-12 depending the variety, royalties, etc.

For just munching pick varieties that ripen at different times, like summer dessert apples, some Âwinter keepers, etc. Then you will have a steady, but not overwhelming supply.

Regards,
PoseyPlanter

Thanks for your valuable tips, all very enlightening.
I appreciate your help!