Horizontal Single Cord

Basic Form

Description

Espalier with only one horizontally guided shape.

Features:

1 framework branch
framework branch is guided horizontally
fruit wood is grown close to the framework branch

For more information see the main article: Single Cord.

Specific Applications

The Horizontal Single Cord has the same applications as the Horizontal Double Cord:

A suitable alternative for a low box hedge.
Suitable for along the facade of a house, under a window frame.
Nice as an edge for paths and flowerbeds in a vegetable garden, ornamental garden or cottage garden.
Also often used as a low espaliered fruit in front of a fruit wall with high espaliered trees. A distance of one to several meters was maintained between the two espaliered fruit rows.

Variants

This category has only one espalier form: the basic form.

For variants with two framework branches, see main item: Horizontal Double Cord.

Advice

This espalier is ideal for those who want to start growing espalier fruit.

Anyone with a garden can find a spot for it:

along a path in a vegetable garden
as a separation along the sidewalk
along a facade / under a window frame

Grow the fruit wood on the sides of the framework branch;
prune away vertical shoots at the top of the framework branch (‘back shoots’), with a crown cut or flat cut.
If grown along a fruit wall (or fence), also prune away shoots that grow towards the wall.

Make sure that the shoot at the end (top shoot) always points slightly upwards.
To do this, insert a bamboo stick diagonally into the ground, and tie the top shoot to it.
A top shoot with an slanted position promotes the sap flow through the framework branch. This is especially important with a horizontal framework branch. The combination of horizontal framework branch + horizontal top shoot results in a weak sap flow, which can cause the end of the framework branch to wither away over time.
In the cultivation phase, periodically move the bamboo stick slightly during the growing season, and re-tie the end of the top shoot.

The 1-sided Horizontal Cord has 1 framework branch.

Alternative variants with more framework branches are:

Horizontal U shape (2 framework branches)
Horizontal Prism (3 framework branches)
Horizontal U with Two Floors (4 framework branches)

For additional information see main article: Single Cord.