Espalier Advice Please

Hi all!

Spring is on the horizon

Today I installed an apple espalier system (if I can call it something so sophisticated). I've never done this before - it's my first garden.

My question is - do I prune the James Grieve whips to the level of the first tier, or do I nip off buds to allow only desired branches to extend and grow?

I've seen some lop the whip, or some nip off buds with their fingers leaving the full length to develop. What is best?!

Very confused at the moment and any advice is much appreciated

 

Hi,

When you get some new whips the supplier usually provides detailed instructions of the training regimes for the different growing methods as they want to make sure you treat them right; non provided ?

Lots of online ytubes etc but think following the RHS site will be as good and clear as it gets.

Apples and pears: espalier pruning and training / RHS