~r'i4~r Q~~ r LA,rýtj PAG.E 18, WIIITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19,1989 Trees and shrubs onwatts ,,JJadfenoes? It's espalier!0 JOSEPH AND Laura Sullivan check out the trains as Cullen Gardens opened Saturday to begin another season. Vinse Obprecio - Free Promo photo April gardening Want to grow peaches or pears, just too smnail? your own apples, but your garden is Or having problemns finding a suit- able plant to grow in that narrow bed between the homse and sidewalk? Then, why not grow an espaliered fruit tree or shrub, says Horticulturist Wayne Brown of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's plant in- dustry branch. "What is an espalier (ess-PAL-yer)? My definition is one used by old European gardeners: a fruit tree or a flowering shrub trained to grow flat against a wall or trellis," Brown said. The horizontal espalier is most comn- mon. It has one to six tiers of branches trained horizontally to the right and left of the trunk. Because most. espaliers are trained to grow only to eye level, the job of pruning, thinning and spraying can be done willx ease. Modern apple cultivars grafted on semi-dwarfing rootstocks provide ideal trees to train using the old European pruning methods. Peach, pear, and cherry trees can also be trained. Shrubs such as Firethorn. Forsythia or flowering Quince can be used effectively. Before planting the young tree or shrub, you must first determine the plant's use. For example, espaliers can be used to separate the vegetable garden frons the Iawrn or as a screen along a fence or as a feature around the terrace or patio. Fruit trees should be planted where they will receive at least six hours of sunlight, if you want the tre to produce fruit. Usuaily a wall with a southeast Wo southwest exposure is best. "But be sure to place the espalier 30 centimetres to 45 centimetres away from the house to rnn-ize the influ- ence of reflected sunlight during the late winter months when the tree must remain dormant," Brown added. A wire suspension system must be set up to train the plant to grow in this manner. If you are suspending the espalier against the house or garage wall, begin by driling a pair of deep holes in the wall, about 2.5 cm deep, three metres apart and 30 cm to 45 cm above the ground. Set 2.5 cm lead anchors in the holes and then screw eyebolts into the an- chors until secure. Then dril holes at 30 cm intervals above the bottom most pair, depending on the nuniber of tiers desired. Fasten Nu. 14 galvanized wire, hori- zontaily between the pairs of eyebolts. Vinyl-coated wire can also be used. If the espalier is in the open or along a fence, fasten the wires to wel-braced wooden posts. Ties are another important consideration. "Plastic ties, jute, or twine are good. But avoid using any die made of wire bevause the wire will cut the tender bark," he said. Pruning is the essence of training an espalier. "It takes a stout heart because we are flot used to restricting plants to a llxnited area; the Europeans, on the other hand, have been required to im- pose a greater degree of order on Mother Nature because of the limited space in their gardens," Brown said. Purchase a fruit tree about 1.2 metres to 1.5 metres in height or buy a "one- year whip", a tree about one metre high with a few very smail branches. In either case, you must prune the branches back so that there are only three buds left, one bud to the left of the first wire, one bud to the right of the first wire and one to train upwards. By the end of June, these three buds wil have produceci 20 cm to 30 cm long shoots. Fasten baniboo canes at 45 degree angles from the horizontal support near the base of the two shoots up to the second wire. It takes time, but there are rewards Tie the flexible shoots to the canes. Fasten the third bamboo cane to the upright shoot. lIn late August, untie the two side shoots and attach them to the bottom wire, bemng careful not to break the shoots as you position them in a hori- zontal lime. in late winter, prune the upright shoot to a bud, five cm above the second wire. Then repeat the same procedures as the previous year and continue training until you reach the top wire. In June, prune ail laterals that develop on the horizontal arins back to three leaves from the basai cluster to encourage spur growth. And in the fail, prune ail secondary shoots produced in mid-sumxner, back to one bud. As the espalier matures, the laterals may require thinning to one lateral every seven cm to 12 cm. "Training the espalier takes a littIe time throughout the season, but the fruits of your labor in a spaoe no greater tha 60 cm to 80 cm wide, wiil be most rewarding over the years," Brown said. By Richard Pecman With little snow cover this winter, spring will be arriving even earlier than last year, unless we get another late spring snowfall. The lack of snow cover this winter usually means that sensitive plants such as shallow rooted perennials, clematis, roses, (not protected), and rhododendrons and azaleas, (mot protected) will sustain severe damnage or even death. The lack of snow will have also taken its toli on your lawn - especially if a shallow rooted lawn exists; due ta improper watering, fertilizing and soil depth. An early fertilizer application, especially if crahgrass was a problem last year, should be applied as soon as possible. Depending on the weather, the major concern for most homeowners 15 getting some life into their lawns and April is the month which will make ail the difference in the outcome of your lawn this season. Indoors Continued attention must be paid to newly sown seeds, and sprouting seed]ings, in order to have a successful transplant. Çontinued misting and fertilizing (weekly) will ensure good growrth, but the most important area of concern now, is lighting. Adequate supply, and at the right intensity, is necessary for good quality growth. Remember to read up on the seeds that you are sowing and know when they will be ready for transplanting into the garden (number of weeks) 80 that the container in which it is growing and the space available in your home are both adequate. To brighten up a duil corner in your house, collect branches of flowerimg shrubs or trees such as forsythia, f ilowering almond, apple, and place them in a vase to create a loïvely srig atmnosphere (the technque of BRIAN BRAISER of the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Auth- ority uses a teleseope to find water- fowl during a viewig day at Lynde Shores on Saturday. The publie is invited to the viewing area seven days a week from dawn to dusk. Free Pr... photo