Good to see you update. Glad to see spring has made it your way. summer is here where I am. Keep us posted on your progress.

Zone 8
South West TX

Update 5/22/2013... Bronx NYC espalier

Close ups of shoots forming on the horizontal branches and of swelling breba figs which are almost at the "stagnant" stage. In the pictures with the horizontal branches is Mrs Bryant's Great granddaughter's pet rabbit named Bunny, visiting for the day.



There are currently four (4) large diameter horizontals that span the 7 feet between trellis. 3 of the 4 have newly emerged shoots and leaves at 80 -90% of the nodes. The 4th has buds just starting to break at 100%, every node.

Thanks for the update Pete.  Keep us posted on how it progresses.

Zone 8
South West TX

Much Farther ahead than mine, I won't start my thread until I get some solid growth, looking more like in june I can do some pictures now to compare.

It will be nice since  you will get fruit off that tree this year correct?

Pete,

Great thread,  Great photos.  Great information.

Just curious.  Do the original owners of these featured, Bronx fig trees, know that there is such an interest?  Does Mrs. Bryant know her tree is "famous" ?


Can't wait to see the coming postings.  My "Bryant-Dark-1" has sprouted, and is in full-growth mode.  Love it.


Frank

bigsmile542, ... You're welcome.

Chivas, ... I'm looking forward to your pictures.
The breba on the main tree will definately ripen by the later part of July, Just as they did last year. There are 3-6 on every branch in the tree canopy. I am expecting main crop figs to form and ripen this year on the espaliered branches. I have committed to AIr Layer at least 18 Large caliper branches, which will be started within 2 weeks, after the leaves have developed to provide shade for the gallon jugs (air layer container).

Frank, ... Thanks. Yes I speak to most of them on a regular basis., and had informed them from day 1 that I would be posting the pictures on the internet. I dont know about famous though... infamous maybe. : )
The only person that I have not spoken with this season is Rosemary (RoseDark and RoseLight). I will have some free time next week, so I will visit for lunch one day.

Looks like the project is coming along nicely Pete. I can't wait to see pics of when it starts going vertical. I find this type of traing very interesting.

Update...6/5/2013

JohnnieB, ... Here are some pictures taken today. Hopefully this technique will be more productive and easier to maintain than growing as a large bush

The verticals at the far end (apical end of the horizontal) are currently growing faster than the ones in the middle. The unwanted verticals will be pruned in another week. Fig embryos are forming on the larger verticals... Which means that the verticals should ripen figs before fall.
Also visible are brebas that are on an older vertical (branch) that was pruned to 2 nodes.

It's looking good Pete.  The cuttings that I started this winter are in the ground now and I am going to train them in the same fashion.  I think it will be next year before any progress....right now they are 12 inches tall or less.  I have 4 different varities that I will be training this way.  I enjoy the pictures and will learn a lot about the process through you.....thanks.

Great documentation of your project Pete. I love seeing the progress.

Diane, ... Thanks. Good Luck with your project. Please post pictures of your progress... You can start their "training" now. I was able to get to step #2 as shown in the diagram in post #10 in one short season last year, from cuttings started in late spring. You just have to be willing to prune away unwanted branches, the plant will concentrate its growth in the remaining ones.

Pattee, ... Thanks. As long as there is something of interest to post, I will continue to update the topic.

I don't know if I missed it or not but what causes the old buds to open again and grow? It seems from your picture that every single bud is producing a stem. 

americanfigboy, ... By placing the branch horizontal and pruning the apical tip of the branch, the hormone that stops branching is removed and dormant buds start to grow at the nodes... The branch will try to produce a new apical branch. Look at the link at the bottom of post #10. and do a search of Japanese Espalier or stepover espalier for more info. Here is an earlier post on a pruning topic where it is discussed

Before... 5/16/2013


After... 6/7/2013


BTW, this same genetic trait can be used to induce branching along branches or main trunk, if the apical tip is removed and the branch is placed in a horizontal position, it can then be returned to its original position after new buds have sprouted.
  

I would be very interested in hearing from the zone 6+ folks on how they winterize or plan to winterize trees growing in this manner?

It's a very interesting idea, I have 2-3 in-ground trees I'd be willing to try this technique since I cant stand how tall the one gets.....

fortisi876,
The main vertical trunk will be protected with a tree bark protector (4 inch corrugated drain pipe).
The verticals will be pruned back to 2 nodes and sealed with pruning sealer, or may be laid horizontal if possible.
A 2 foot high by 2 foot wide bed of straw and leaves will surround the horizontal trunk for its entire length and will be covered with a tarp.

The espaliers in NYC will not be winter protected. The older in ground trees large diameter (over 1 inch) branches and their smaller side branched have not been damaged by previous winters. If the winter is very severe, the horizontals can be covered with straw, and a tarp "tent" cover can be suspended from the fence posts.

Great work!  If you have gnawing critters you might want to paint the bark right down to the roots to avoid the nasty surprise Ingevald got.  Best of luck with it.  Thanks for showing us your progress.

Bob C, ... Thanks for the link and recommendation. I had read that a good white wash could be made from a 50/50 mix of latex paint and joint compound. Can you recommend any bark paint?

Update; 6/21/2013

Espalier pictures and closeup of verticals. 70% of verticals are over 1 foot, taller verticals have swelling main crop figs. The clump of leaves above the center of the trellis is actually several future horizontals that are too short to span the 7 feet, and are currently growing at 45 deg angles until they are longer.


Picture of large air layer from opening post, note the pea sized main crop figs swelling on the upper branches.
 

Update; 6/28/2013

Espalier pictures and closeup of verticals with swelling main crop figs. The vertical need to thinned to at least 12 inches apart, in some areas they are only 2-3 inches apart (too many figs!). Last picture is of the main crop figs swelling on the mother tree.



     

Wow Pete it really looks like this is going to be an awesome setup. Thanks for the great documentation.

Update 7/16/13
Current pictures of the Bryantdark espalier and a picture of a breba changing color. Breba have been ripening over the last week, but I've been busy with work and have not been able to visit. Hopefully I will be able to get pictures of a cut ripe fig later this week.

Looks great!  I would mix latex paint, wolf urine and rodent blood but that's just a wild guess.

Bob C,
<edit>...
I think I'll just stick with Latex or Asphalt.

Really looking great, Pete!  Nice job!

That is a great-looking setup. I love it. Thanks for posting.

Thanks for all the great info.
I've planted 700 figs sticks in the ground last winter and am hoping to train them in the Japanese espalier method.
Great inspiration.
Working on a lay out plan for the orchard at the moment.
Planning on spacing figs 4m apart in rows 3m apart.
Considering whether 2m on each side of fig will be enough space for the horizontals.
Any ideas?