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 is 
grafted on it, slows its growth and encourages early 
bearing. 
The forms into which Espaliers are fashioned are de- 
termined 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 symmetrical 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 is more 
than compensated for by the better quality and symmetri- 
cal shaped trees we offer—no better stock of Espalier trees 
can be found anywhere in the world. 
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