[marcofez]

Can all types of fruit and fruit tree be trained into a espalier? As Aldi have some fruit trees in that i'd like.

[engineer]

Can all types of fruit and fruit tree be trained into a espalier? As Aldi have some fruit trees in that i'd like.

What you really need to train an espaliar is one which is on dwarf rooting stock, have a look here http://www.chrisbowers.co.uk/catlist.php?id=24 verything you need to know is here, if you need to ask them a question just e-mail them.

[LilacSandy]

Apple and Pears can be, I am training four myself over the last couple of years for a border on the lotty, not sure how plums or cherries would respond though.

[evie2]

peaches can

[LilacSandy]

Thanks for that Evie,  I would love to grow peaches but did not want to shade everything out.  Off to browse the net.   

[evie2]

I'm going to try it this year

[DigIt]

I would have to say no, not all fruit can be trained as an espalier.

The RHS view is that apples and pears can be growns as cordons, espaliers or fans but stone fruit, such as apricots, peaches and cherries do not respond well to the cordon or espalier methods, so are best grown as fan trained (similar but subtly different).

As with all restricted forms of growing, dwarfing rootstocks are important.

[evie2]

I didn't realise there was much of a different

[gobs]

Most can be trained to anything, the question is more like, is it worth it?

What kind have you got on mind?

[marcofez]

Looks like Digit is right about how you can train fruit trees. At £3.99 a tree, I'm going to give it a go and see how I get on!!!!

[LilacSandy]

Just got two Peach trees.  Have no idea where I am going to plant them but at £3.99 each I will squeeze them on the plot somewhere. 

[cAnAry53]

what about training them as stepovers around the edge of the plot or alongside pathway

[Trillium]

Peach trees don't care for too much pruning, so taking them down to step-over height will essentially finish them off.

[lacewing]

Sound advice from Digit. I have have two apples and one pear trained espalier along the edge of my plot. I also have a fan trained nectrine. It is important to know how to prune them properly  ( I don't ) to get the maximum fruit.

[DigIt]

Sound advice from Digit. I have have two apples and one pear trained espalier along the edge of my plot. I also have a fan trained nectrine. It is important to know how to prune them properly  ( I don't ) to get the maximum fruit.

My bible for fruit tree pruning is 'Growing Fruit' from The RHS.