HENRY LEUTHARDT NURSERY 33 
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Should the leaders become very compact with foliage thin the 
side shoots out, leaving spaces between bearing spurs 2 or 3 
inches. 
Prune the top of the main leaders in the early spring or win- 
ter when the tree is dormant. Cut previous year’s top growth 
back to half its length with a sharp knife in a slanting position. 
The inner leaders should be kept about 6 inches shorter than the 
two end leaders. After the desired height has been attained, 
cut down to one eye each year; should they become too high, 
cut down below level of new growth, thus making space for futu.e 
new growth. Espaliers can be allowed to grow almost any desired 
height, say from 5 to 12 feet. The pruning of the top leaders 
is very essential for it checks the future growth of the tree. 
Pruning Horizontal Cordon Espalier Trees — Apple, Pear, 
Plum, Cherry. 
Cut back side shoots to 6 inches. As a general rule, the 
fruit of a Horizontal Cordon is borne on the shoots that develop 
along the outer sides of the leader. Therefore, if thinning out 
is necessary, do so on the shoots which grow on the top or upper 
part of the main leader. Never prune the ends of the Cordon, 
unless the tree has reached its desired length, as such pruning 
p-events tree fiom making new growth. 
P/uning All Espalier Peach, Nectarine and Apricot Trees— 
The essential pruning should be done during the summer. 
Pinch every new shoot to two eyes, in doing so, two new young 
branches wiil be obtained. In the following spring one of these 
b.anches should be allowed to bloom, prune the other one down 
to two eyes. This one gives you the two young branches for the 
coming year. This proceduie done every year creates a continual 
new supply of voung wood. It prevents the side branches from 
becoming too big and taking all the strength. By following this 
method, the era of productivity of a peach tree is almost doubled. 
The bearing spurs aie easily recogn:zed during the dormant per- 
iod, as all the booming eyes are doubled. This enables one to 
decide moie easily which branch to leave. Since Peach, Nectarine 
and Apricot tiees all bear fruit only on the new wood made the 
previous year, this pruning must be followed very closely, if. 
Iru.t is desired. After leaders have attained 15 inches, tie back 
like backbone of a fish so as to allow the sunshine and light to 
reach the eyes as the bearing eyes develop on the new wood dur- 
ing September and October, when exposed to the sun. 
Pruning Fan Shaped Espalier Trees—Apple, Pear, Plum— 
Cut all shoots developing along the leaders which form the 
framework for the Espalier tree, back to 8 inches, once a month 
July, August and September. Don’t prune off any shoots shorter 
than 8 inches. 
The tree may be allowed to grow any size desired’ by trim- 
ming the ends of the leaders during the summer months. 
In addition, any side shoots that protrude outward, should be 
cut back to 4 inches as they will never bear fruit. 
Pruning Fan Shaped Espalier Trees—Peach, Nectarine, Apricot 
Follow instructions for ‘Pruning All Espalier Peach, Nectarine 
and Apricot Trees’. In addition, any side shoots that develop 
outward, cut the shoots back to four inches. 
