Pruning the Apple Espalier and Hornbeam Hedges
There's a lot of garden work underway at my Bedford, New York farm.
This time of year, everyone is weeding, watering, fertilizing, and pruning. Pruning is about more than just looks; proper pruning improves the health of the plants, prevents disease, and encourages better flowering. There are different pruning strategies for different times of the year, but overall the goals are the same - to control the shape, to keep bushes and trees fresh and open, and to allow for better air circulation through the center of the specimen. My gardeners and outdoor grounds crew have been busy pruning various plantings including the hornbeam hedges surrounding my white lily garden and the apple espaliers behind my long carport.
Enjoy these photos.
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- When I first moved to Bedford, I found a perfect location to plant a little orchard of espalier apple trees – this space behind my long carport not far from my Winter House. Espalier refers to an ancient technique, resulting in trees that grow flat, either against a wall, or along a wire-strung framework.
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- These espalier apples have done wonderfully here. They’re supported on wire attached to these strong antique granite posts from China originally used as grape supports. They’re perfect as posts because they don’t rot over time like wood does. A friend of mine acquired a lot of stone from this valley and I purchased a couple hundred of these posts. I only wish I bought more of them. I use all around the farm.
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- When he prunes, Brian cuts branches at a 45 to 60 degree angle. He trims those branches that are rubbing or crisscrossing each other or preventing any healthy new growth. Basically, the goal is to create a tree with well spaced lateral branches. Any branches which interfere with the tree’s shape or create a dense framework should be removed. He is also using pruners for this job. I always prefer hand tools that will give my trees a more natural appearance and shape. Every gardener and member of my outdoor grounds crew has a pair.
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- Here are some of the pruned branches – the job takes several hours to complete, but it is done carefully and thoughtfully. Pruning encourages the tree to grow more of these fruiting spurs by eliminating competing suckers and unproductive wood.
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- Here, one can the pruned side on the right and the area still to be pruned on the left. My long carport is also on the right. I hang a series of bird feeders along this side of the carport for all the visiting birds – about 125 different species of birds visit my feeders.
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- By day’s end, every row is cut just right – I am so proud of how productive these trees are – in part because of the excellent maintenance care we give them.
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- In front of my main greenhouse, one can see how much the hornbeam hedge border surrounding my formal lily and hosta garden has grown. Carpinus betulus, the hornbeam is a fast-growing deciduous tree. In fact, it can grow about four to five feet per year. I keep a close eye on all the hornbeams – it’s crucial to prune them regularly, so they never look too overgrown and unruly.
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- If you recall, these hornbeams were first planted in the spring of 2019. Here you can see the row behind the growing lilies – they have not yet grown into a hedge.
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- Since then, they’ve grown very well. I attribute much of the healthy growth of my gardens to the nutrient rich soil. I am fortunate to be able to make my own compost here at the farm. Plus, we practice good, regular feeding. Remember, if you eat, so should your plants and trees.
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- Here is the side of the hedge just last week before it was given a good pruning – They have grown closely together in just a short time, creating the hedge border I envisioned.
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- The new growth can be seen growing wildly on top. Because hornbeams grow quickly, it is important to trim and sculpt them regularly. We do this task every year around this time. Hornbeam is also very hardy and frost resistant, which is good in this region.
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- The hornbeam is related to the beech tree, with a similar leaf shape. On the hornbeam, the leaves are actually smaller and more deeply furrowed than beech leaves. They become golden yellow to orange before falling in autumn.
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- Pasang trims the front of the hornbeam. Using hand tools is always more time consuming, but these hedges are still relatively small, so the task doesn’t take long.
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- Pasang uses Japanese Okatsune shears specially made for trimming hedges. These shears are user-friendly and come in a range of sizes.
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- Bamboo stakes are measured, marked, and placed alongside the hornbeams, so all the hedges are trimmed to the same height. Twine is wrapped around the poles securely to provide a level line guide.
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- Once the twiine is pulled taut between the bamboo poles, a level specially made for a line like this one is placed in the center of the twine.
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- Brian prunes the top of the hedge, so he can trim the sections flat.
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- He also checks the line and level several times to be sure everything is trimmed straight – this area leads to my berry bushes behind my greenhouse and can be seen from the greenhouse entrance.
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- And look at all the cut leaves – this is just a portion from the front of the trimmed sections.
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- And here is the hedge all done and pruned perfectly – and all completely by hand. It looks great. What pruning jobs are you doing around your home? Share your comments below. Soon, I will show you all the gorgeous lilies that grow in this formal garden – wait and see.
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