Homestead mailing list

[Lisa Kae Van Meter Perry <lisakvperry AT gmail.com>]

On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 3:40 PM, Lynda <lurine AT com-pair.net> wrote:

>
> We are looking at espaliering fruit trees so we can get more in a smaller
> space.
>

Lynda,

We have these and they are a pain in rear. Require LOTS of pruning. From
our limited experience, the Asian pears are doing the best of all the
espaliered
apples & pears that we have. The other trees don't produce enough to warrant
the amount of effort put into them--but maybe you'll have a better
experience.

>
> > The lot has a big, totally overgrown apple tree that produced lots of
> > fruit this year. I will be rather severely pruning it this winter. The
> big
> > grapevine has grown right into it, so that needs serious cutting back, as
> > well.
>

Consider talking to an Ag Extension person about this tree. Have them out
to your place, they are usually happy to make an appointment and it's free.

We learned that it's really hard on a tree to severely prune it. Better to
make
a series of cuts over a few years to give the tree time to recover in
between.
Also, it's very important for the long-term health of the tree to make sure
you
make proper collar cuts otherwise in as few as three years you could lose
an entire limb to rot or make it more susceptible to bark beetles (which
will
kill it, too).

> >
> > There is a peach tree, as well, but no fruit was on it. We did have a
> late
> > frost last spring, so that may have done it in.
>

That could do it, but some peach trees are finicky. Also peach trees don't
bear fruit past 20-25 years of age.

> >
> > I am planning on 3 additional peach trees, 2 apricot, 2 cherry, 2 plum,
> > and 3 more apple trees. Maybe a pear or two, as well...
> >
> > a small orchard, but tending fruit trees does not require as much bending
> > and kneeling...   ;-)
>

This is pretty much what we're planning on at our new place (when we have
it). We're thinking much less--less to prune, less fruit to thin early in
the spring,
less spraying, less picking, harvesting, and processing--but still enough
to eat.
We want apple, cherry, peach & pears.

Lisa