From time immemorial, people attached great importance to the surroundings, therefore they eagerly planted various plants around their seats.The art of planning and managing gardens developed in the 17th century, when beautiful gardens with formed trees and shrubs were created around palaces and mansions.
Thanks to the work and experience of many generations of excellent gardeners, more and more perfect forms were created. The most famous example is the gardens of Versailles,
in which trees and shrubs, formed in elaborate geometric shapes, grow to this day. Among them were not only ornamental plants, but also very often usable ones.They were also given interesting and unusual forms. Apple trees, pears and even peaches were skillfully pruned into a candlestick or a fan.
Forming espaliers
At first glance, the formation of such crowns seems very complicated. It turns out, however, that it is not difficult at all.Principles of pruning have been thoroughly described and they work in modern gardens just as they used to be in earlier times.
One of the simplest and at the same time attractive forms of fruit trees is the so-called unbuttoned crown, also called palmette. Its characteristic feature is a flat shape, and all branches grow in one plane. PEvery tree can be shaped like a palmette.Even older trees, several years old, are suitable for this purpose.However, it is much easier to form when the tree is still not cut.
So a better idea is to buy an appropriate fruit tree and run it from the very beginning.Palmette is simple to form, but also a very effective crown, especially if it is stretched against the wall of the building.Before we start forming a tree in the shape of a palmette, we have to choose the right place. Let's opt for a sunny, bright and representative wall to emphasize the interesting shape of the crown.
Wood carving
It's good if we prepare the wall properly in advance, because when the tree grows, it will be difficult to carry out work on it, such as painting. The next step is to build a strong frame.The most suitable is a lattice made of wooden slats. It will serve as a support for the branches. We place the slats one above the other at a distance of about 60-80 centimeters from each other.
French molding step by step
1. First cut
After planting the tree, select two strong twigs and attach them horizontally on the rack. All shoots growing above are cut into a short tenon and the conductor is shortened.
2. Summer cutting
When the shoots on the lower branches reach about 30 cm, shorten them after 4-5 leaves, leaving a short pin.Two shoots in the upper part of the crown , , which have reached the height of the next level, are left without cutting.They will be used in the next year to build a new floor. Cut out all the remaining shoots.
2a. Short cut
Trimming the vertically growing twig performed during the growing season causes new shoots to grow from the leaf axils.These shoots are also shortened, which causes them to stop growing and transform into fruiting spines.
3. The second year of crown formation
In the spring of the following year, firmly prune all the twigs on the lowest level of the crown. Attach the two previously left shoots at the top of the crown to the frame.
3a. Tenon trimming
Correctly shortened twig before the start of vegetation.
