spalier

Spalier, also spelled espalier, is a horticultural practice of training woody plants to grow flat against a vertical support such as a wall, trellis, or fence, forming two-dimensional shapes.

Traditionally associated with formal European gardens since the Renaissance, espalier is commonly used with apple, pear, and other fruit trees, and less frequently with grape vines. It can also be employed to train ornamental flowering shrubs.

Common forms include cordon, a single horizontal trunk with fruiting laterals along a straight line; fan or palmette, branches radiating in a fan against a wall; and Belgian fence, a series of horizontal branches on a sturdy framework.

Training begins when plants are young; branches are tied to wires and pruned to encourage growth along the intended planes. Annual pruning removes inward-facing wood and renews fruiting spur wood. Winter pruning shapes the structure and maintains balance.

Benefits include space efficiency, improved sun exposure and air circulation, and easier harvesting. Considerations include the need for a sturdy, well-supported wall or frame, regular maintenance, and selection of varieties suited to espalier and local climate, typically in temperate regions. Espalier can serve both productive and decorative purposes, integrating fruit production with garden design.