I never knew this was a thing... Thanks for sharing I would like to see an update on what a tree like this will turn into. This concept is fascinating to a non arborist. Keep it up Glenn!
Yes the message of how much work needs to go into multi-grafted trees needs to get out there. Hopefully though it will get people to spend a little more time outside, if anything. Espalier is not my cup of tea. I prefer to get a good harvest, so a delayed central leader, or open central, presents a good challenge to work with on a multi- grafted tree. These smaller semi-dwarf trees that are grafted most, I think make great specimens for people to learn how to prune. Also isn’t it wiser to learn to prune the small before you try to prune the big & tall?
Nice vid Blair. Multi grafted trees can be great but there is the pruning commitment there and a bit of knowledge/understanding required. I multi-graft most of my fruit trees for an extended season without having to grow 3 of everything (mostly subtropicals and tropicals).
Thank you again, Blair. Some pretty intelligent comments to add to your brilliant video. But mine is just as a non-arborist. I’ve always loved the word Espaliér. I’ve just looked it up, and according to one source it is a French word derived from the Italian ‘spalliera’, meaning "something to rest the shoulder (spalla) against." What a relaxing image! I can imagine a gardener (or Tree Surgeon/Arborist!) at the end of a hard day with his arms and shoulders over a gate, surveying his labours with pride.
So great to have an arborist's view on this. I tried to graft my own tree this year -- it took, but then died when it got really hot during the summer. I gave it regular water but I think when I try it again I'll have to put up a shade cloth or something. I didn't have my tree in a pot, I basically grafted it to a rootstock that I'd bought and planted it all in one. I guess I basically just have a crabapple tree now, or I need to try again with a bud grafting. I like the idea of having some kind of frankentree, but it seems like it'd be really difficult to keep it in an espalier shape for sure.
You could go on with the information that you have about graft trees, but you kept it simple into the point. In Palo Alto there are about 30 of these and people have them planted pretty close to their front door. As to walk by them daily. You said well when people do not understand the maintenance of these trees need and of course the ones that I am aware of walk by them daily and understand that the hobby part of checking their multi grafted fruit tree is a long term hobby not just one season. The idea or concept is pretty cool though. Great share ! Joe
BlairGlen, I now have unfortunately had to experience what you experienced a few days ago. The Cameron Peak fire exploded and got to within 4 miles of Loveland, Co. pop. 78,000. I didn't have to evacuate, but I was loaded up. Fortunately now the danger is over for now. I didn't mind unloading, it was a good drill. I never want to have to do this again.
I bought a 5 in 1 apple tree but all the grafts are upwards and all are the same thickness and size thank goodness. Either way i know its going to require lots of love.
If they are serious, I would definitely recommend a metal trellis / framework that’s built wide enough to support many years worth of growth. Thus avoiding the hassle of enlarging it down the road. A wooden frame will weaken and rot out in sections too quickly and it will be a real chore to repair it with the stiff matured branches do deal with.
I wonder if they were grafted at 120* apart, that would prevent the top branches shading out the bottom branches? Granted then you would have a 3 dimensional tree taking up more room in your yard instead of the 2D trellis style.
Blair what happens when that greenhouse grown tree is time warped ahead in the season? Will the fruit just either wither in place or ripen later? and then will it just adapt to the regular seasonal cycle?
Particularly great blend of arboricultural and human wisdom in this one Glenn! Thanks for sharing 👍
Blair, when I was younger, I was visiting
I never knew this was a thing... Thanks for sharing I would like to see an update on what a tree like this will turn into. This concept is fascinating to a non arborist. Keep it up Glenn!
Yes the message of how much work needs to go into multi-grafted trees needs to get out there. Hopefully though it will get people to spend a little more time outside, if anything. Espalier is not my cup of tea. I prefer to get a good harvest, so a delayed central leader, or open central, presents a good challenge to work with on a multi- grafted tree. These smaller semi-dwarf trees that are grafted most, I think make great specimens for people to learn how to prune. Also isn’t it wiser to learn to prune the small before you try to prune the big & tall?
Nice, Blair.
Nice vid Blair. Multi grafted trees can be great but there is the pruning commitment there and a bit of knowledge/understanding required. I multi-graft most of my fruit trees for an extended season without having to grow 3 of everything (mostly subtropicals and tropicals).
Interesting video!
Thank you again, Blair. Some pretty intelligent comments to add to your brilliant video. But mine is just as a non-arborist. I’ve always loved the word Espaliér. I’ve just looked it up, and according to one source it is a French word derived from the Italian ‘spalliera’, meaning "something to rest the shoulder (spalla) against." What a relaxing image! I can imagine a gardener (or Tree Surgeon/Arborist!) at the end of a hard day with his arms and shoulders over a gate, surveying his labours with pride.
So great to have an arborist's view on this. I tried to graft my own tree this year -- it took, but then died when it got really hot during the summer. I gave it regular water but I think when I try it again I'll have to put up a shade cloth or something. I didn't have my tree in a pot, I basically grafted it to a rootstock that I'd bought and planted it all in one. I guess I basically just have a crabapple tree now, or I need to try again with a bud grafting. I like the idea of having some kind of frankentree, but it seems like it'd be really difficult to keep it in an espalier shape for sure.
You could go on with the information that you have about graft trees, but you kept it simple into the point. In Palo Alto there are about 30 of these and people have them planted pretty close to their front door. As to walk by them daily. You said well when people do not understand the maintenance of these trees need and of course the ones that I am aware of walk by them daily and understand that the hobby part of checking their multi grafted fruit tree is a long term hobby not just one season. The idea or concept is pretty cool though. Great share ! Joe
What an interesting tree! It would be nice to see how it's growing a year from now.
BlairGlen, I now have unfortunately had to experience what you experienced a few days ago. The Cameron Peak fire exploded and got to within 4 miles of Loveland, Co. pop. 78,000. I didn't have to evacuate, but I was loaded up. Fortunately now the danger is over for now. I didn't mind unloading, it was a good drill. I never want to have to do this again.
I bought a 5 in 1 apple tree but all the grafts are upwards and all are the same thickness and size thank goodness. Either way i know its going to require lots of love.
If they are serious, I would definitely recommend a metal trellis / framework that’s built wide enough to support many years worth of growth. Thus avoiding the hassle of enlarging it down the road. A wooden frame will weaken and rot out in sections too quickly and it will be a real chore to repair it with the stiff matured branches do deal with.
I wonder if they were grafted at 120* apart, that would prevent the top branches shading out the bottom branches? Granted then you would have a 3 dimensional tree taking up more room in your yard instead of the 2D trellis style.
Would the flowers be different as well?
Blair what happens when that greenhouse grown tree is time warped ahead in the season? Will the fruit just either wither in place or ripen later? and then will it just adapt to the regular seasonal cycle?
I am doing the same, but with mango tree.
Blair, how about some white latex paint on the exposed, at-risk bark?
Update?