es·pal·ier
i-ˈspal-yər 
-ˌyā
1
: a plant (such as a fruit tree) trained to grow flat against a support (such as a wall)
2
: a railing or trellis on which fruit trees or shrubs are trained to grow flat
espaliered; espaliering; espaliers
Examples of espalier in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Danine Alati, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2024
They are used for massing and as specimens—as shrubs, standards, and espaliers.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024
There's also a four-person suite with its own kitchenette and a balcony that overlooks the 300-acre organic farm’s espalier and pergola; classic inn-style rooms—the Wildflower and Wolftree lodges—come with king beds, steam showers, and soaking tubs.
—Richard Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2022
Amy Pennington, The Seattle Times, 19 May 2019
Almost any fruit or citrus tree can be espaliered, but some are better suited.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 19 June 2019
Carlson espaliered fruit trees along the garage to squeeze more into the compact backyard.
—Debbie Arrington, sacbee, 21 Apr. 2018
The Orange Home Grown Educational Farm plans a free workshop at 1 p.m. Jan. 14 on how to espalier fruit-bearing trees.
—Orange County Register, 14 Jan. 2017
Orange Home Grown offers free classes once a month, often with master gardeners, such as one recently on how to espalier and another on composting.
—Wendy Fawthrop, Orange County Register, 19 May 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The design duo also likes to use espaliers to train fruiting trees to grow in a flat plane along a wall.
—Danine Alati, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2024
They are used for massing and as specimens—as shrubs, standards, and espaliers.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024
There's also a four-person suite with its own kitchenette and a balcony that overlooks the 300-acre organic farm’s espalier and pergola; classic inn-style rooms—the Wildflower and Wolftree lodges—come with king beds, steam showers, and soaking tubs.
—Richard Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2022
Verb
Klein and Fulnecky have espaliered fruit trees — McIntosh and Yellow Transparent apples and a Van cherry tree, though the robins tend to get to those first.
—Amy Pennington, The Seattle Times, 19 May 2019
Almost any fruit or citrus tree can be espaliered, but some are better suited.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 19 June 2019
Carlson espaliered fruit trees along the garage to squeeze more into the compact backyard.
—Debbie Arrington, sacbee, 21 Apr. 2018
The Orange Home Grown Educational Farm plans a free workshop at 1 p.m. Jan. 14 on how to espalier fruit-bearing trees.
—Orange County Register, 14 Jan. 2017
Orange Home Grown offers free classes once a month, often with master gardeners, such as one recently on how to espalier and another on composting.
—Wendy Fawthrop, Orange County Register, 19 May 2017
Cite this Entry
“Espalier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/espalier. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share