
GENERAL HINTS ON THE CARE OF ESPALIER FRUIT TREES 
U. S. Espalier Trees are field grown at the 
nursery and are very hardy. If planted, 
pruned and trained according to the instruc- 
tions in this leaflet, they will grow and 
produce fruit of delicious quality. Please 
observe the following general hints: 
CARE OF STOCK ON ARRIVAL 
If you cannot plant your trees as soon as 
they arrive, put them in a cool cellar. Usually 
crated trees require no attention for several 
days. When planting is delayed for a week or 
more, heel in the roots in a sheltered place. 
Put the trees at a 45-degree angle in a well- 
drained trench and cover the roots and the 
lower part of the trunk with 6 to 8 inches 
of soil. 
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HOW TO PLANT ESPALIER TREES 
Dig the hole large enough to accommodate 
the roots without crowding. (See illustration 
lower left.) Set the tree to the same depth as 
it was originally planted in the nursery. 
Remove all broken roots. Mix top soil with 
good fertilizer, then fill in around the roots. 
When the hole is half filled with soil, pour in 
a bucket of water which will help to firm the 
soil around the roots, and provide moisture. 
After the water has penetrated, the hole can 
be filled level with the ground. Tramp the 
new soil firmly. 
WATERING 
During prolonged periods of hot weather, 
it is advisable to water the trees occasionally. 
SPRAYING 
Trees planted against a painted wall should 
be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. If planted 
in an open yard, spray with a solution of lime 
and sulphur, or Bordeaux mixture. The best 
time to spray is in late winter, January, 
February or March, depending on location. 
In other words a few weeks before the buds 
begin to swell. A lighter spray may be applied 
during the summer months. 
PROTECTION AGAINST FREEZING 
In extremely cold climates, Espalier trees 
should be protected by piling dry leaves or 
straw around the lower trunk in a circle large 
enough to cover the root system. 
FERTILIZING 
Each tree should be fertilized at the time 
of planting and once each year thereafter. 
We recommend % pound of “Vigoro” per 
tree, for best results. If not available any 
other fertilizer may be used. 
Printed in U. S. A. 
