There used to be espaliered pear trees in every orchard. In this way, several pear trees could be grown. For small gardens, espaliered fruit is a good solution. However, the pear trees need particularly good care.
How do I grow a pear tree as a trellis?
A pear tree trellis requires a robust trellis system or a house wall for attachment, suitable spindle-shaped pear bushes, a planting distance of 40 cm and careful care. There are different espalier shapes such as horizontal, fan-shaped or palmette-shaped branches.
Requirements for a pear tree espalier
To grow pears on espaliers, you need a robust trellis system (€122.00 on Amazon) to which you can attach the shoots of the pear trees.
As an alternative, a wall or a sunny house wall offers the right support for the trellis.
Which pear varieties can be grown as a trellis?
Basically, espalier cultivation does not depend on the pear variety, but on the cultivation form of the tree.
In nurseries you can get special pear bushes that have been grown in a spindle shape. These are suitable for espalier cultivation. Growing other pear trees on a trellis requires some experience when pruning pear trees.
Observe the planting distance of the pear trees
Pear trees can be planted quite densely on a trellis. Maintain a planting distance of 40 centimeters between the strongest branches of the trees.
Various forms of espalier cultivation
- Horizontal branches
- branches arranged in a fan shape
- Vertically arranged U-shaped branches (palmette shape)
Which shape you choose is a question of space and the desired aesthetic. The only important thing is that all branches get enough sunshine.
Pruning espalier pear trees
First, give the pear tree the desired shape by fixing the branches horizontally or in a fan shape on the trellis.
Cut off any excess branches. When thinning out the new shoots, you should follow the instructions for the respective variety. Some pear trees only bear fruit on new wood, while others also produce fruit on older branches.
Grow several varieties on the trellis
If you plant several pear trees that bloom at the same time, you don't need to worry about pollination of the pears.
As a non-self-pollinating fruit variety, pears rely on other trees in the surrounding area. This is the only way the flowers are pollinated. Without pollination no harvest is possible.
Tips & Tricks
If you attach your pear trellis directly to a house wall or wall, make sure that it does not have any lime paint on it. The lime is washed into the ground by the rain. Pear trees do not thrive in calcareous soil. This means that good harvests are not possible.
