espalier

1 of 2

noun

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

espalier

2 of 2

verb

espaliered; espaliering; espaliers

transitive verb

1

: to train as an espalier

2

: to furnish with an espalier

Examples of espalier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Grow Japanese quince as a border or low hedge, or train it as an espalier or on a trellis in a warm, sheltered location. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026

Some people use espaliers (shrubs trained to grow flat on trellises) on or alongside their fences. — Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025

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

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

Almost any fruit or citrus tree can be espaliered, but some are better suited. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 19 June 2019

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

Carlson espaliered fruit trees along the garage to squeeze more into the compact backyard. — Debbie Arrington, sacbee, 21 Apr. 2018

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, ultimately from Italian spalla shoulder, from Late Latin spatula shoulder blade — more at epaulet

First Known Use

Noun

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

espalier

noun

es·​pal·​ier

is-ˈpal-yər, 

-ˌyā

: a plant (as a fruit tree) trained to grow flat against a support (as a wall or trellis)

espalier verb