Photo by Bill Mason. In these web pages, I've attempted to provide you with the nitty gritty of the espalier process, step by step, from building a trellis and planting a tree to training and pruning during the tree's first three years. I hope you'll find these pages a welcome companion to the magazine piece. Some companies offer varieties they say are self-pollinating, but for reliable cropping, all apples need a second tree to effect pollination, so plant at least two.
Whips work best.
A whip is a young tree comprising a single vertical growth with no branches or side shoots. I'm holding one in the picture at right. The rootstocks of these trees should be of M9 or similar dwarfing stock. M11 and M26 rootstocks are also suitable. I recommend purchasing balled and burlapped trees.