Dictionary:
es·pal·ier (ĭ-spăl'yər, -yā')  |
[French, from Italian spalliera, shoulder support, from spalla, shoulder, from Late Latin spatula, shoulder blade, from Latin. See spatula.]
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(i-SPAL-yuhr, -yay)
noun
A tree trained to grow flat against a wall.
verb tr.
To train a tree in such a way.
Etymology
From French espalier, from Italian spalliera (shoulder support), from spalla (shoulder), from Latin spatha (broadsword)
The word originally referred to the trellis or framework on which a tree was trained to grow in a plane. Typically fruit trees such as apple and pear are grown as espaliers. The advantages of an espalier are that it can be grown in a small space, gets more sunlight, and provides easier access to the fruit.
A picture of a ginkgo espalier:
[Image credits: Chris Heiler www.FountainheadGardens.com
| Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: espalier |
For more information on espalier, visit Britannica.com.
| Architecture: espalier |
1. A trelliswork of various forms on which the branches of fruit trees or fruit bushes are extended horizontally, in fan shape, etc., in a single plane, to secure a freer circulation of air for the plant and better exposure to the sun.
2. A tree or plant so grown.
| Columbia Encyclopedia: espalier |
| Gardener's Dictionary: espalier |
A shrub or tree that has been trained to grow flat against a wall or framework.
| Wikipedia: Espalier |
Espalier is the horticultural technique of training trees through pruning and grafting in order to create formal "two-dimensional" or single plane patterns by the branches of the tree. The technique was popular in the Middle Ages in Europe to produce fruit inside the walls of a typical castle courtyard without interfering with the open space, and to decorate solid walls by such trees planted near them. Evidence exists suggesting that the technique dates back much further, perhaps even to ancient Egypt. The word espalier initially referred to the actual trellis on which the plant was trained to grow, but over time has come to be used to describe the technique.
An espalier collects almost as much sunlight as a regular tree, yet has far less mass. This makes them ideal not only for decorative purposes, but also for gardens in which space is limited. They may also be planted next to a wall, which can reflect more sunlight and retain heat overnight, or be planted so that they are facing the equator and absorb maximum sunlight. These two facts allow an espalier to succeed in cooler climates, where a non-espaliered tree of the same variety would fail. They also mature fruit more quickly. Certain types of trees adapt better to this technique than others, although any fruit tree will theoretically work. The branches of the plant must be long and flexible. Examples of trees that take well to espalier are olives, figs, apples and pears. Peaches, plums, apricots and cherries can also be grown flat against a wall.
Contents |
 Free-standing espaliered fruit trees (Belgian fence) at Standen, West Sussex, England May 2006. As can be seen, the trees are used to create a fruit hedge |
 A fanned fruittree |
 Another fanned fruittree |
 A special cordon-type fruittree |
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Copyrights:
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wordsmith Words. © 2009 Wordsmith.org. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Architecture. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/. Read more |
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| Gardener's Dictionary. Taylor's Dictionary for Gardeners, by Frances Tenenbaum. Copyright © 1997 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Espalier". Read more |
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