Living in the temperate Pacific Northwest means Spring gets sprung earlier than in many other parts of the country. Already, we have flowering plums and cherries showing a bit of dainty pink as the sunny daffodils begin to unfurl from their winter slumber [Insert Screeching Noise Here].

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Espalier is the art of growing ornamental or fruit bearing trees and shrubs horizontally.  Bending and shaping them while young to your will, which when you think about it, is kind of like raising children except, unless there’s a tornado in your back yard, your trees will never leave you for a woman in Germany. But, I digress again.

Even though I live on a double lot in the city, my preferred method of growing fruits is the Espalier. Not only is it decorative, it serves several useful functions as well. The fruit remains fully accessible from a standing position (for most of us) and the annual pruning becomes an art project. (more…)