The art of pleaching

[David Humphries]

Came across this today up in in Cley, and just had to stop & take a closer look.

 

Have never tried the technique myself, but I find I'm always impressed by their architectural & aesthetic form .

 

Any one carry this out regularly or seen any good ones?

 

 

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[slack ma girdle]

Sorry to be a pedant, but is that not espalliered ?

[David Humphries]

Hi Slack,

 

my understanding is that an espalier is tied together 'against' a structure (generally) for the production of fruit

 

& a pleach is weaved/fused together (free standing) to create a hedge.

 

 

Either way its pretty cool in my eyes

 

 

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[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I know some people might say this was pruned to death! lol

[David Humphries]

I know some people might say this was pruned to death! lol

 

 

For sure

 

 

 

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[18 stoner]

Hi Slack,

 

my understanding is that an espalier is tied together 'against' a structure (generally) for the production of fruit

 

& a pleach is weaved/fused together (free standing) to create a hedge.

 

 

Either way its pretty cool in my eyes

 

 

.

 

My understanding too.

 

Around here pleached are usually nursery trained on frames and sold, whereas espalier are planted in situe at a much earlier stage and then shaped. Perhaps not strictly the rule everyhere mind:thumbup1:

[Stephen Blair]

Thats fantastic, what kind of trees are they David?

[David Humphries]

Thats fantastic, what kind of trees are they David?

 

beech or hornbeam Stevie

 

 

 

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[Taupotreeman]

That's pretty cool and something a little different.

[treesnatcher]

Hornbeam usually works best. A trip to Alnwick Castle gardens has some very impressive pleaching mainly done in last ten years