espalier advice needed

[tutti]

I recently planted two espaliers and am now looking to select three shoots for the third level, from the existing leader. I noticed that when they arrived, it seemed that some new shoots had already developed (possibly due to the mild winter conditions) and were 3 - 4 inches long. My question is - would you advise using these newly developed shoots for my third level, or remove them and then wait for new ones to develop and use these? I am unsure, as the milder conditions and fluctuating frost spells appears to have quick started and then stalled growth, instead of the tree being dormant until the normal "spring" conditions that follow after a cold winter.

[boundtothesoil]

I noticed that when they arrived, it seemed that some new shoots had already developed (possibly due to the mild winter conditions) and were 3 - 4 inches long. .

I'd use these to form your new level if they are in the right positions. If their leaf buds are still to open, then they should be OK frost-wise. If you cut them off, new shoots will not grow out from exactly the same position, but from other buds further up your main leader.

[BUFFS]

use these shoots as they are already growing, if they turn out not to be as you want them you can snip them off and wait for the lower buds to replace them. the ones you have have the potential to make good strong branches but don't tie them down too fast, let them get to a decent length first..