I was hoping to start doing some research on grafting and espalier of fruit trees. I really like the idea of the espalier style fruit tree fence, and I want to see what other types are out there, as well as how to do them. Additionally, I have two fully matured trees that do not produce good fruit that I would not mind grafting on. One is an apple, so I would like to do a full season of apples on it. The other is a cherry. I want to turn this in to a plum tree with a nice variety.

What books/internet sites would provide great knowledge on this? For the espalier, I think I need a more how to than anything. The grafting, I have the general idea of how to, but I would like help on placement of them to "top work" the existing trees, along with a description of a lot of the varieties.

As always, any help is appreciated.

http://www.cloudforest.com/cafe/apples/top-working-old-apple-tree-with -bark-grafts-t890.html?hilit=apple bark graft

As far as espalier, I looked at a lot of internet stuff when I was starting my citrus espaliers and much of it was the same, so just about any site might be helpful to you. I did come across one Australian site which had a unique and simpler approach:

http://www.woodbridgefruittrees.com.au/woodbridgefruittrees/articles/1 62-espaliering-made-even-easier---knnn-method.html

And, of course, you probably don't need anything to get you enthused about espalier, but you have to see this:

http://www.rarefruit-sa.org.au/Espalier/Espalier.htm

http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/category/fruits.html