Espalier on west wall of house? In Houston?

9 years ago

I'm interested in espalier (the practice of controlling plant growth so that it grows relatively flat against a structure such as a wall, fence, or trellis. Got that definition here: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/quickref/general/espalier.html).

Would it work to plant two or three dwarf apple trees next to the house on the west side and then train them to an espalier? I am primarily worried about the heat. The wall is brick. I already have fig ivy growing on the wall, and I would leave that, so the trees would be the next layer.

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

LeahinTexas
Original Author
9 years ago
I would take out the Indian Hawthorn bushes.

And I do try to keep the ivy off the gutters and roof! It was overgrown here.
myk1
9 years ago
I would be worried about air flow and lack of morning sun in humid Houston.

I had a cherry about 15' from my house on the west and it was a disease magnet. So far I've lost 2 relatively disease free around here apples in that same spot.
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bossyvossy
9 years ago
if you didn't have the fig, the apples would most definitely burn from the reflected heat. With the fig you get a diff. kind of problem. The fig would tangle itself in and around the apples and could eventually suffocate them. Controlling the fig would be a maintenance chore. I don't recommend espaliering on the west side, with or w/o fig.
barnhardt9999
9 years ago
Why not espalier a fig tree in that spot? It would love the heat and disease would not be a problem.