If you’ve ever looked closely at an espaliered apple or pear branch, you may have noticed small, short, knobbly little shoots along the arms. These aren’t random — they are fruiting spurs, and they’re the key to how your tree produces fruit.
Once you understand what spurs are, how they form, and how to encourage them, espalier suddenly makes a lot more sense. You’ll start to understand why summer pruning matters, why shoots are shortened, and where next year’s fruit is likely to grow.
So, let’s break this down simply and clearly.
So… What Is a Spur?
A spur is a short, stubby shoot that grows from a branch. It usually has several closely spaced buds on it.
Spurs are where your tree develops:
-
Flower buds (in spring)
-
Which then become fruit
So instead of fruit growing on long branches, apples and pears grow on these small, compact spur clusters.
This is why we don’t want long, whippy growth everywhere. Those just grow leaves. Spurs are where the fruit happens.
How Do Spurs Form?
This part is surprisingly simple:
1. In summer, the tree grows lots of long leafy shoots.
This is the tree saying: “I have energy — let’s grow!”
2. You shorten those shoots back to about 2–3 leaves.
This is your summer pruning step.
3. The cut tells the shoot to stop growing longer.
So instead of extending outward, it thickens and forms buds close together.
4. Over time (usually a season or two), that short stub becomes a fruiting spur.
This is natural — you’re not forcing it. You’re just guiding where it forms.
No summer pruning → no spurs → no fruit.
This is why summer pruning is so important.
Why Spurs Matter in Espalier
Espalier is all about:
-
Keeping the tree flat
-
Encouraging fruit along the wires
-
Making fruit easy to reach and pick
Spurs achieve all of that:
| Without Spurs | With Spurs |
|---|---|
| Long, tangled growth | Neat, tidy framework |
| Lots of leaves, not much fruit | Fruit develops close to the branches |
| Hard to manage | Easy to see and prune each year |
Spurs help your espalier stay compact and productive.
How to Encourage Spurs (Step-by-Step)
You only need one technique — and you’ll use it every summer:
Summer Spur-Pruning
When new shoots grow from the branch, cut them back to 2–3 leaves from where they began.
That’s it.
If the shoot:
-
Shoots straight up → Cut it back.
-
Sticks out toward you → Cut it back.
-
Juts away from the wall → Cut it back.
If you leave these shoots long:
-
The tree wastes energy on leaves, not fruit.
-
The espalier loses its shape.
-
The fruiting buds don’t develop.
If you shorten them:
-
The tree focuses on strength and fruit.
-
The shape remains flat and clean.
-
Spurs naturally form in those short stubs.
How Long Does It Take?
You may not get fruit from new spurs immediately.
Typically:
-
Year 1: The spur forms (just a stub).
-
Year 2: It strengthens and forms flower buds.
-
Year 3: It reliably produces fruit.
This is normal.
Spurs get better with age — just like good vines or hedges.
So if you’re in Year One or Two and don’t see fruit yet:
You’re not doing anything wrong.
You’re building the foundation.
How to Tell a Fruit Bud from a Leaf Bud
Once your tree begins forming flower buds, you’ll notice:
| Leaf Bud | Flower Bud |
|---|---|
| Slim, flat, pointed | Short, fat, rounded |
| Sits tight against the twig | Looks plump and slightly swollen |
| Makes leaves | Makes blossoms → fruit |
This is one of the most exciting parts of espalier — seeing those first plump buds appear.
It means your work is paying off.
Common Mistakes (and Easy Fixes)
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Tree is growing like crazy but no fruit | Not enough summer shortening | Start cutting new shoots to 2–3 leaves |
| Branches are getting thick and tangled | Long growth left too long | Shorten and remove excess — little and often |
| Spurs are very old and crowded | No renewal | Trim some older spurs to allow new ones to form |
Espalier rewards consistency, not perfection.
The Takeaway
You don’t need to memorize complicated pruning diagrams.
Just remember this:
Long shoots grow leaves. Short shoots grow fruit.
And cutting back to 2–3 leaves in summer is how you get those short fruiting spurs.
With patience and small, regular pruning, your espalier will:
-
Develop strong, reliable spurs
-
Produce fruit exactly where you want it
-
Look tidy, balanced, and intentional
This is the phase where espalier starts to become really rewarding.