Espalier pruning is advanced pruning and very rewarding. When I lived in Europe, one of the pleasures of traveling was to see the trees trained up the sides of buildings...sigh...um....ahem.

Water sprouts are, technically, latent buds - buds below the surface of the bark. It is easier to rub off the buds you don't want as branches as they break than letting them grow 2 feet then pruning. You'll get used to it.

An excellent book that has instructions and lots of fun how-tos as well is Sears Step - by - Step Gardening Techniques Illustrated

Dan

Thanks Dan for the info, I have always been facinated with espalier,and decided to get me one! I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this one, I just don't want to kill it. I don't have any knowledge of pruning, but seem to have good instinct so far with common shrubs and bushes.It's raining today, but I'm looking forward to going out tomorrow and looking for some water sprouts to remove. Nina