Espalier Apple Trees - Branch Growth

MapDaddy

Hi,

I am new to this forum so forgive me if my terminology is incorrect.

I have two apple trees (Granny Smith and Fuji) that I am trying to grow into an Espalier. I made the initial cut, leaving 4 strong buds. In both cases, two of the buds are growing well and I am ready to start to train them. All other buds grew about 2 inches, then stopped. What can I do to make one of the smaller branches start growing? I am going for a candelabra form and need a leader growing up (have), and one branch on each side of trunk (I have one).

I live in Round Rock, TX (North of Austin).

Thanks in advance for all the help!!

Joe

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Garry Brockley

Patience is a virtue when it comes to growing into Espalier you can only feed and wait then encourage the resulting growths.

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MapDaddy

What type fertilizer would you recommend? Should I just add compost?

Eric Frei

Yeah, I'd go compost over fertilizer as it helps the soil.

Use it like mulch, do not go within say 4" of the trunk though.

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TreeSpecialist

You'd be better off and years ahead if you would choose another type of tree. Look around and tell me how many apple trees are growing in Round Rock.

You likely won't see any at all and if you do they will all be small. Apples won't survive Central Texas soils an climate.

The only successful apples are located in deep organic (and somewhat acidic soils) in the Mason and Bandera areas of the state. Just because Home Depot sells them doesn't meant they will survive here.

Roses, wisteria, grapes, pyracantha, jasmine - all will espalier nicely in Central Texas.

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