How to Prune Fruit Trees

This handy, dandy little guide by R. Sanford Martin was 1st printed in 1944.  It’s been printed at least a gajillion times since.  All kinds of trees are covered – deciduous, citrus, subtropical, and  fruit trees.  This is my guide to training my fruit trees in espalier forms.  There’s even directions for berries and grapes.

It’s a paperback that is only 90 pages; but the sketches and directions are clear.  I’ve seen pricey versions offered online.  Ridiculous.  I think these go for under $10 at my local nursery.  This is a great resource to have in your garden library.

Typical deciduous fruit trees need to be thinned while they are dormant.  This will allow more sun in to develop fruit and send energy to produce fruit.  I’m ashamed to say that my pruning habits in the past probably led to the demise of many of my fruit trees.  Boring critters did them in.  The combination of good pruning and dormant oil spray should keep the espalier in good health for years similar to those growing at Mt. Vernon.