Genuine Espalier Trained 
_ Fruit Trees 
The culture of Espaliers is an old art based on the 
application of a principle of plant growth, known as 
sap flow control. Hence, the choice of understock is 
important, for the fruit trees’ later training. 
A dwarfing rootstock that of a type with a small root 
system is chosen. This limits the size of the tree that 1s 
grafted on it, slows its growth and encourages early 
bearing. 
The forms into which Espaliers are fashioned are 
determined by the natural growth habit of the kind of 
fruit tree, even of the particular variety. 
Training, like the effect of rootstock, further slows 
sap flow and gives better distribution. 
We grow and train into Espalier forms only those 
varieties, which, after years of experimentation, have 
given us the most satisfactory results. The average 
Espalier we offer for sale has been in training for a 
period of six years or more—and it is the result of 
faithful care and a more perfect knowledge of the art 
of pruning. Only the finest rootstock is used and as each 
tree is trained on sound biological laws, it is guaranteed 
to keep its shape. 
What is the meaning of Palmette Verrier? 
Palmette is used in French since it reflects the shape 
of a palm leaf, hence it comes as close to describe the 
shape of the tree. 
Verrier was a Professor of Botany and Horticulture in 
the Sorbonne, a famous University in Paris. During the 
middle of the nineteenth century, he did evolve the 
forms such as these in four, six, eight and more arms as 
he rightly claimed that the upright training contributed 
immensely to symmetry and production. From then on, 
Palmette Verrier is used only for trees whose sym- 
metrical shape is absolute and have definitely no middle 
branch that issues directly from the main trunk. 
There is also the Palmette Goucher Espalier. This 
form may be distinguished from the Verrier as it has 
the form of a U and trained only in two-fold, three-fold 
and four-fold Espaliers. 
Leuthardt offers a wider variety of forms suitable 
for many purposes. The slight difference in price 1s 
more than compensated for by the better quality and 
symmetrical shaped trees we offer—no better stock of 
Espalier trees can be found anywhere in the world. 
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