How to Train Pear Trees Against a Wall

Training fruit trees against walls, also known as espalier training, is an effective way of managing fruit production while decorating and adding interest to your garden. Espalier training a pear tree results in larger, sweeter fruit, makes the most of sunlight and allows you to better protect the tree from pests. Creating a Y-fan is the simplest way to train a pear tree to a wall.

Two cane poles
Pruning sheers
Shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Pick a location for your pear tree. You need to set a training pear tree against a south-facing wall so the heat from the wall will support the pear tree if you live in a cooler climate. A pear tree’s root system typically spans for 10 feet, so be sure the pear tree is at least 10 feet from the nearest tree, though 12 to 20 feet is preferable. Pear trees typically grow to be around 10 feet tall, so be sure the wall is tall enough to support the tree. Through careful training, you can stunt the pear tree to 6 feet, but it is best to let the tree grow more naturally.
- 2
  Pick your pear tree. You want a pear tree that has been grafted into Quince A or Quince C rootstock. Quince C pear trees will be slightly smaller than Quince A, making them the better choice if you have a shorter wall. Make sure your pear tree is not a tip-bearing pear tree before attempting to train it. Tip-bearing fruit trees do not train well.
- 3
  Place two canes or posts on either side of the tree, leaving enough room between the posts to accommodate a fully grown tree. This will be the framework you’ll use to train your tree.
- 4
  Plant a maiden pear tree that is only a year old when there is no chance of frost in the near future. Dig a hole as deep as the roots are long and three times as wide. Make sure the soil is loose. Spread the roots, place the tree in the hole and cover with well-irrigated soil. You should plant your tree 8 to 12 inches from the wall.
- 5
  Prune your pear tree down to around 12 inches. Make the cut just above two buds that are parallel to the wall. Let the top of the tree and the two buds near the top grow out.
- 6
  Tie the branches that come off the two buds to the cane framework at a 45 degree angle to create a “Y” shape. You can add a third cane to support the top of the tree if necessary to create another “Y.”
- 7
  Continue to train your tree over the next few years, pruning the top, vertical branch down to around 12 inches, being sure there are two buds parallel to the wall on either side of the cut. Continue tying off the side branches to the cane system.

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