Posted on: Monday, March 27, 2006
Espalier is an ancient 'pruning' and 'grafting' technique originally employed by the Romans and medieval Europeans as a means to save space around monasteries compounds and castle grounds. The process of training the long, pliable branches of fruit trees and shrubs to grow flat against south facing garden walls or fences enabled valuable garden beds to be used for other plantings such as vegetables and medicinal herbs. Espaliers were blooming eco-tapestries well before their time.
(photo) Pear espalier at The Cloisters in northern Manhattan