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🪴 A plant support 🌳 A shaped plant ✂️ To shape a plant
to espalier

to espalier

9.9
To train a tree to grow flat against a wall by tying and pruning branches
  • verb
  • /ɛˈspeɪljər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : entallar
  • The gardener explained how to properly espalier young fig trees for optimal sunlight exposure.
  • espaliered trees
  • espaliered fruit

Examples

  • To create an attractive feature in the yard, they espaliered a row of peach trees along the fence.

  • Fruit trees were espaliered some thirty feet apart.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • In a drawer, she found the lightweight nylon cord she used to espalier tree limbs.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • After mowing, he helped her espalier a vine against a trellis, which required him to stand on a ladder, spread his arms, and hold steady for the length of time it took her to lean from a window and secure the tendrils.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • In her garden, she decided to espalier the apple tree against the old brick wall to save space.

Synonyms

to trellis
vsto espalier
6.0

To tie or guide a climbing plant to grow on a frame

trains plants to grow flat against walls using pruning to shape branches

Surface Forms

espalier infinitive
espaliered past
espaliered past participle
espaliering present participle
espaliers third person singular

Etymology

Espalier comes from French meaning 'to put against the wall', so to espalier a tree is to train and tie its branches so the tree grows flat along a wall or support.