How to prune a fruit tree in Palmette Verrier form: classic guide

TL;DR Palmette Verrier training

Palmette Verrier is a symmetrical, elegant espalier form: two vertical leaders with regularly-spaced horizontal branches in tiers. Perfect for walls and fences. Very productive and strikingly symmetrical. Apple is ideal, pear also excellent.

What is Palmette Verrier?

Palmette Verrier is named after the 19th-century French tree artist Verrier. It is a double-leader espalier: two vertical stems grow upward along the trellis, and at regular intervals (30-40 cm) two horizontal branches grow out from both stems, opposite each other, like a "ladder with rungs".

This is very symmetrical, very elegant, and very productive. A 2x2 meter Palmette Verrier can bear 40-60 kg fruit per year. The form is breathtaking in beauty and very popular in classical gardens.

Why Palmette Verrier? Because it is the perfect balance between beauty and productivity. It is more complex than fan or cordon, but far simpler than free-growing trees.

Step 1: Plant a young two-arm tree

Look at the nursery for a tree that already has two strong primary branches (feathered tree, or even better a tree with two "arms" already formed). This saves much work.

Plant this tree in March or November straight against your trellis.

Best cultivars for Palmette Verrier:

• Apple: Elstar, Cox, Braeburn, Gala, Jonagold
• Pear: Conference, Doyenne du Comice, Beurre d'Anjou
• Plum: Victoria, Stanley (slightly trickier, but possible)

Step 2: Train the two leaders straight up (March, year 1)

Find the two strongest primary branches already on the tree. These become your two vertical "spines" of the espalier.

Tie these two branches STRAIGHT UPWARD against the trellis. They must grow parallel to each other, about 60-80 cm apart.

Remove everything between these two branches.

Step 3: Create the first pair of horizontal branches (May, year 1)

Once the two vertical leaders are growing well, select ONE strong side shoot on each of both leaders, at the same height (roughly 40-50 cm above ground).

Tie these two branches HORIZONTALLY to the left and right (they should look like a "T").

Remove everything below these horizontal branches.

Step 4: Cut back side shoots on the horizontal branches

On each of these horizontal branches, side shoots will now appear. Cut each back to about 15 cm long. This gives the espalier its characteristic "ladder-look".

Step 5: The next pair (July-August, year 1)

Once the first horizontal branches are stable, find on each of the two vertical leaders the next set of side shoots, about 30-40 cm higher than the first pair.

Tie these also horizontally. You now create the second "rung" of your ladder.

Repeat this pattern each year: add a new "rung" (pair of horizontal branches) annually.

Step 6: Maintenance pruning (March and August, year 2+)

From year 2 onward, the maintenance work is fairly standard:

August (summer):

• All side shoots on the horizontal branches, cut back to 15-20 cm.
• Vertical side shoots on the leaders, cut back to 5 cm.

March (winter):

• All side shoots from last season, cut back to 2-3 cm (short "spurs").
• Vertical branches: let them grow until you have enough "rungs". After that, do not cut the leaders again.

How does a mature Palmette Verrier look?

After 4-5 years:

• Two vertical leaders, roughly 180-200 cm tall
• 5-6 pairs of horizontal branches, regularly spaced
• Each horizontal pair grows perfectly symmetrical left and right
• Many small "spurs" (short side shoots) everywhere fruit grows
• It looks like a classical French formal espalier

This is truly a beautiful form - very popular in gardens where beauty is as important as productivity.

Frequently asked questions

How wide should the horizontal branches be?

At least 60-80 cm total width (30-40 cm per side of the leader). This lets each side grow well and gives even fruit.

Can I change Palmette Verrier to a different cultivar later?

No. You must start from the beginning with a tree suited to this form. It is much work to change later.

How long until Palmette Verrier becomes productive?

3-4 years to build full form. But already in year 2 you have substantial fruit.

Do I need to fertilize?

Yes. Add compost in March, some fruit-tree fertilizer in May. A Palmette with many branches grows intensively.

Can I make Palmette Verrier narrower than 2 meters?

Yes. A 1.5 meter Palmette Verrier works well too. Just add fewer horizontal pairs.

Step-by-step

Step 1: Plant two-arm tree

Plant young tree with two primary branches in March/November.

Step 2: Train leaders straight up

Tie two strongest branches straight upward along trellis, parallel to each other.

Step 3: First horizontal pair

Select ONE side shoot on each leader at the same height. Tie both horizontally.

Step 4: Cut back side shoots

Cut all side shoots on horizontal branches to 15 cm.

Step 5: Add next pair

Each season add a new "rung" (pair of horizontal branches).

Step 6: Annual maintenance

August: side shoots to 15-20 cm. March: short spurs to 2-3 cm.

Frequently asked questions

What if my tree does not produce two leaders?

Start with a one-year tree (feathered) and cut the top back. This forces two branches to emerge.

How fast does Palmette Verrier grow?

Year 1-2: rapid building. Year 3-4: fine tuning. Year 5+: mature. A mature tree grows hardly at all, mostly maintenance.

Can I do Palmette Verrier without a trellis?

No. This design requires a wall, fence or sturdy wire frame.

Discover your garden design

On [gardenworld.app](https://gardenworld.app) you can upload your front yard and visualize how a Palmette Verrier espalier fits. This classical form adds elegance to any garden.