5 STEPS TO AN ESPALIER TREE

1 In winter, plant a maiden (a singlestemmed young) tree and cut back the stem to within 15 inches of the ground, just above an upward-facing bud. Ensure there are two buds below, pointing in opposite directions along the wire.

2 In summer, fix canes to the central stem and to the shoots from lower buds, which should be trained at 45 degrees to the main stem.

3 In the following winter, lower two side branches and remove the canes. Secure branches to the first horizontal wire and cut back about a third of each length, to a downward-pointing bud. Cut back the central stem to within 45cm of the horizontal branches, just above the second wire.

4 Repeat steps 1-3 each year until the tree has reached the desired number of tiers.

5 Every summer, cut back new competing shoots to two or three leaves above each basal cluster, and side-shoots from laterals to two leaves above each cluster.