How to Grow Apples on a Wire
- 1). Cut galvanized wire, which will not rust, into lengths that span the length of the wall or vertical structure with an extra 2 inches on each end. You will need three or four wires.
- 2). Drill holes in the wall where you will be fixing the wires. The drill-bit type will depend upon the material you are drilling into. Use a masonry bit if you are making holes in brick or cement. Make the holes 2 feet apart with corresponding holes at the opposite end of the wall.
- 3). Screw the eyebolts into the holes. Thread the wire through the eyebolts and string it across horizontally to the corresponding bolt. Twist the wire through the bolts and tighten it with pliers.
- 4). Dig a hole 6 inches from the structure that is 2 inches wider than the root ball of the tree. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole. Soak the tree in a bucket of water and plant it with the roots spread out in the hole. Backfill and water until puddles form.
- 5). Prune the lowest branch off to just before a healthy bud. The cut edge will produce a slim branch in time. Tie the branch to a pliable bamboo cane and bend it toward the lowest wire. Tie the branch to the wire when it is long enough.
- 6). Train the branch that will form from the bud. Let it grow to the second wire and tie it on. Cut just above the bud that will form after the tied-on area. This will force another branch, which will be trained to the third wire.
- 7). Repeat the process for the opposite side of the tree to form a corresponding branch pattern. Espalier should be limited to three or four evenly spaced branches on each side. Prune off errant growth that appears outside the frame of the espalier.
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