Q. I’m going to see if I can do a multi-tree planting
(three peaches in one hole) and espalier some along a south-facing wall. Then again, now that I’ve seen some more of Dave Wilson’s
photos (http://www.davewilson.com/homegrown/BOCpix/espalier.html ) for espalier
examples, I don’t think I have the space to plant three trees in one hole. That
seems to be for more open areas. Perhaps best to plant three different types of
fruit trees that bear fruit at different times over the summer so we’ll always
have something
(three peaches in one hole) and espalier some along a south-facing wall. Then again, now that I’ve seen some more of Dave Wilson’s
photos (http://www.davewilson.com/homegrown/BOCpix/espalier.html ) for espalier
examples, I don’t think I have the space to plant three trees in one hole. That
seems to be for more open areas. Perhaps best to plant three different types of
fruit trees that bear fruit at different times over the summer so we’ll always
have something
.JPG) |
| Three trees planted in one hole, the third year and before summer pruning. |
Anyway, can you recommend any places where I can order
small quantities of fruit trees? Shipping with Peaceful Valley (I ordered two
bare roots last year and they didn’t make it through the summer) puts them in
the same price range as buying locally, where’s there’s less selection.
small quantities of fruit trees? Shipping with Peaceful Valley (I ordered two
bare roots last year and they didn’t make it through the summer) puts them in
the same price range as buying locally, where’s there’s less selection.
A. I want to handle one point at a time. The space needed
for two, three, four or more trees planted in the same hole is about the same
space required for one of these trees alone. The size can be kept to about a
diameter of eight feet or possibly a bit less with aggressive winter and summer
pruning. On apples it will require that they are on a semi-dwarfing rootstock such as M111.
for two, three, four or more trees planted in the same hole is about the same
space required for one of these trees alone. The size can be kept to about a
diameter of eight feet or possibly a bit less with aggressive winter and summer
pruning. On apples it will require that they are on a semi-dwarfing rootstock such as M111.
Pruning
to maintain multiple trees in a single hole is aggressive and relies on the
horticulturist doing the pruning to maintain separate spaces for each tree and
that the trees are not allowed to invade or in any other way dominate the space
allotted. This also requires that you select trees which have similar vigor to place in the same hole.
to maintain multiple trees in a single hole is aggressive and relies on the
horticulturist doing the pruning to maintain separate spaces for each tree and
that the trees are not allowed to invade or in any other way dominate the space
allotted. This also requires that you select trees which have similar vigor to place in the same hole.
.JPG) |
| Three trees planted in one hole after summer pruning. All three trees are given enough room to not interfere with each other. |
One of the biggest threats to
espalier training (trellising) of fruit trees in our climate is sunburn from
our intense sunlight and the number of cloud-free days. I have had problems
with espalier trained fruit trees with direct southern or western exposure to
the intense sunlight if not given some protection.
Be
careful with these types of exposures. It is important to provide enough canopy
cover to reduce the sunlight on the load bearing branches (stems tied to the
trellising) but still keep it restrained. In my opinion this must include the
possibility of pruning during any month of the year.
careful with these types of exposures. It is important to provide enough canopy
cover to reduce the sunlight on the load bearing branches (stems tied to the
trellising) but still keep it restrained. In my opinion this must include the
possibility of pruning during any month of the year.
 |
| Apple trellised about a foot AWAY from a century fence. It is NOT trellised on the fence. |
Pruning
during different months causes different results in the trees. Winter or
dormant pruning is the most invigorating for trees while summer pruning (late
March or early April removal of new growth) is the most devigorating.
I would try to sites for ordering
trees online; Bay Laurel Nursery and Grow Organic (which I think is Peaceful
Valley but not sure) and yes with shipping is a similar price range.
trees online; Bay Laurel Nursery and Grow Organic (which I think is Peaceful
Valley but not sure) and yes with shipping is a similar price range.
In past years Plant World has carried
Dave Wilson trees but usually not until about April or so because a middleman
must containerize/establish them since Dave Wilson only ships bare root trees.
Dave Wilson trees but usually not until about April or so because a middleman
must containerize/establish them since Dave Wilson only ships bare root trees.