Oblique Cord
Basic Form
Regular Oblique Cord
One slanting framework branch (planted slantingly or not)
Oblique Cord with 2 Stories
More information about this Location
Description
Espalier with one framework branch that is trained upwards at an angle.
Intermediate form of Vertical Single Cord and Horizontal Single Cord.
Characteristics:
- 1 framework branch
- framework branch is trained upwards at an angle
- fruit wood is grown close to the framework branch
- tree is planted vertically or at an angle
The fruit wood grows mainly on the top of the framework branch.
For additional info see main article: Single Cord.
Specific Applications
The Slanted Cord was used for 2 purposes in the past:
- Low walls
A slanted cord was used along walls that were too low to place a vertical cord. A slanted cord must be able to grow at least 300 cm long. In practice, the height of the wall determined the angle at which the cord was guided. An angle of approximately 45° is ideal for evenly distributing growth and fruiting over the framework branch; this angle is not so critical. - Grape cultivation
Slanted cords with grapes could easily be detached in the winter and laid down on the ground to protect them from frost.
Advice
Both the Slanted Single Cord and the Slanted Double Cord are easy to grow and maintain. Suitable for low walls (180-300 cm high) with espalier fruit. A Slanted Cord is otherwise comparable to a vertical cord.
A Slanted Cord is especially suitable for pome fruits.
Advantages of a framework branch with a slanted position:
- balance between growth & development
The slanted position is favourable for the ratio between vegetative growth (shoot and leaf formation) and generative development (formation of flowers and fruits). - long framework branch at high fruit wall
The slanted position makes it possible to maintain longer framework branches at lower fruit walls. You then need fewer trees to fill the available space.
If you plant an entire row with one variant of the Slanted Cord, an intriguing pattern is created.
In the cultivation phase, keep in mind that a diagonal cord can be achieved in different ways:
- Plant the tree at an angle and let it grow diagonally in the same line.
- Plant the tree vertically, manually give the central leader a ‘bend’ at a height of approx. 35 cm and let it grow diagonally.
- Plant the tree vertically, prune it back to a height of 35 cm, then let a bud on the side grow out and tie it diagonally.
For additional information see main article: Enkel Snoer.
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Derived Variants
The following espalier shapes are derived from the basic shape.
Broken Slanted Cord
The frame branch is guided upwards at an angle with one zigzag
Zigzag Cord
The framework branch is guided upwards at an angle with several zigzag shapes
Derived Variants with Multiple Branches
For variants with 2 sloping frame branches see main item: Sloping Double Cord.
