Trellis and Espalier Wire Requirements | Bekaert Fencing (2024)

FAQs

What kind of wire do you use for espalier? ›

You will need 14 or 16 gauge galvanised fencing wire. 14 gauge wire is necessary for rows of cordons and espaliers, the thinner 16 gauge wire is fine for fan-trained trees and soft fruit. The wire needs to be held away from the wall or fence, standing out by about 2-4 inches / 5-10cm.

Measure the area you want to cover and then measure a piece of wire fencing. (You can install it in sections if that's easier, or install a longer piece and attach it at intervals of every 3′ or so. You don't want it much longer than that or it will gape and not be as stable.)

Space the wires 30-45cm (12-18in) apart with the lowest wire 30cm (1ft) above soil level. Wooden trellis screwed to thick wooden battens to raise it from the wall surface, with the bottom 30cm (1ft) above soil level to prevent rotting.

The top wire on the trellis is the load-bearing wire. Use a 121⁄2 gauge high tensile, fence wire. The lower wires are for cane positioning and do not need to be as heavy gauge. A 14-gauge high tensile wire should be adequate.

Espaliers need a permanent support structure, which should be in place before planting. The traditional method is a series of horizontal wires, spaced 35–45cm (15–18in) apart, attached to a wall or fence or running between posts. If using posts, make sure they're firmly anchored in the ground and stand 1.8m (6ft) tall.

Espaliers can be achieved using high tensile fencing wire and a strainer and are quite durable. But for the added aesthetic (it is an artform after all) most horticulturists will use stainless steel rope wire and fixings.

Generally wire around 3.0mm works well and offers a lot of options regarding fittings and price. It has an 'in-line' minimum breaking strength of ~700 kgs. 2.0mm works for droopy jasmine and 4.8mm would work for laser straight espalier work on jacaranda trees…

This is a common problem. There's nothing like damaged or broken fencing to strain neighbourly relations. However, regardless of the state of your neighbour's fencing, you are not allowed to do any repairs, including painting, staining, varnishing or installing new panels or trellis.

It can be attached to the top of the fence to add height and support climbing plants. This can make your fence look nicer and give you more privacy. If it is not against any height limits where you live, then yes. You'll need to install supports from the ground up to the top of the additional trellis.

One effective method to fix trellis to a fence is using wooden battens. These battens act as a buffer between the trellis and the fence, providing a secure attachment point. Drill the battens into the fence posts or directly into the fence panels if there are no posts. Ensure the battens are level and evenly spaced.

What gauge wire for espalier? ›

14 gauge (14 gauge is thinner than 12) should be enough. Just make sure that it is galvanized otherwise it will rust badly.

For a strong fence, you want a low gauge, such as an 11 or 11.5. A very thin gauge would be over 20. You can also think about gauge in inches. For example, an 8.5 gauge welded and woven wire is 0.155 inches thick, while a 27 gauge is only 0.0173 inches thick.

14 gauge – 0.080 inch. 16 gauge – 0.0625 inch. 18 gauge – 0.0475 inch.

In espalier, tree branches are typically trained flat along the wires of a trellis, which may be of several types, depending on how difficult an espalier project you want to attempt. In addition to a trellis, trees can be supported by a wall, wooden fence, or deer or cattle fencing.

Although a number of different kinds of wire can be used to craft the miniature trees (picture-hanging “cable” being a notable exception), I prefer 10- to 12-gauge electrical wire for most trees. It's composed of a number of 22- to 24-gauge copper strands enclosed in plastic insulation.

Run 12-gauge wire through the openings of the eyebolts, and pull tight. It helps to have turnbuckles at the end of each run to take up slack if the wire stretches. Each wire represents the path a branch will take as the tree grows into an espalier.

Make a support

The first row should be 30cm (12in) off the ground. Thread wire through the first vine eye and pull it back on itself and twist a few times to secure. Do the same at the other end, keeping the wire taut. Cut off any excess.