Author Topic: Does it make sense to espalier a tree which bears fruit on second year branches?  (Read 422 times)

eez0

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I have two spots on a wall, deciding whether to go for a vine (likely kiwi) or use a nectarine and a cherry.

As the deciduous bear fruit on second year wood, would they really be a smart choice here? Do they even fruit again on the same branch once they have already fruit once?

Aiptasia904

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I know that nectarines fruit on one year old growth from the previous year, so pruning them might be sacrificing that season's crop. If you're attempting to train the fruit trees into an Espalier pattern, expect to sacrifice at least a portion of the fruit crop while you prune a tie off the branches into the pattern you want. Worry about the fruit later in that case. If you want fruit sooner than later, don't prune them. Or, you can do the old orchard farmer's trick of pruning HALF of the tree one year and then pruning the other half the next year so you'll still get a partial crop.