apple espalier spacing and tiers

[carrottop67]

Hello,
I have read a thread via the old internet but can't find it now, so forgive me for starting another one.

I am planting apple trees (m26) and am doing a simple horizontal tier system. How far apart would my trees need to be and how many tiers am I looking at. Is 3 asking too much? If just 2 how far apart would my trees be.

I am looking at buying maiden trees of Ashmeads Kernel, Fiesta, Meridian, Chivers Delight, Kidds Orange Red, Pixie, Scrumptious, Lord Hindlip and Norfolk Bleeding.

I had wanted Rubinette but apparently it has weak vigour and prone to more disease. Newton Wonder, Charles Ross, Falstaff, Cornish Aromatic were amongst other similar varieties I had on my list.

Please is there anyone out there that has knowledge of growing espalier apples and these varieties? The soil is loamy, fairly well drained but obviously if it keeps raining like it is today.....possibly not.

I will be putting these on a post and wire system......would I be ok just buying 6ft posts or do they have to be 7ft?

Ok so perhaps too many questions, apologies for that.

[sparrow100]

You need posts you sink about 45cm/18inches into the ground as they are supporting the tree a great deal. The length of the stakes depends on the eventual height you want to reach. Open espaliers (ie not against a wall) do work well. As far as I know you start the first tier 45cm off the ground and then the next levels are 30-45cm apart. There's no reason to stop at 2 or 3 tiers as long as you have sufficient supports for the branches and the main stem. We only have espaliered crab apples on our site though, the other apples are all dwarfing bush types, or minarettes or festooned.

[carrottop67]

ok new to this whole forum thing so if this is not how to reply I apologise, what can I say but I'm a complete technophobe and idiot when it comes to things (albeit simple) like this.

Thank you very much Sparrow100, that is great advice. Much appreciated.

[Lardman]

My older espaliers on M26 and spaced 8ft apart. I used 3" square 8ft fence posts in metal metposts with wires starting at 18" and then every 15" after that. The leaders clear 8ft with the top tier around 6', Im up to 5 tiers but they're showing signs of running out of steam. I make that 40 linear foot of branch 5*(2*4).

I don't see a reason why you can't have more tiers and less width if you like, it just takes another year to add a tier. It's what I've done with my more recent additions, These are 6ft apart and I'll be looking to get 42ft from them 7*(2*3).

Watch for tip / partial tip bearers (Scrumptious) and most other early varieties, they don't take too well to espalier training.

[carrottop67]

oh I am a moron it's official.
Thank you very very much for replying LARDMAN, if you hadn't done I wouldn't have realised my huge mistake......having spent months researching I had a momentary lapse and ordered a non spur-bearer, moron (well it is the Welsh word for carrot!).

And what great advice too......I am very happy all round, thank you heaps.