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Mernda, Melbourne
I’m looking for a simple design for my freestanding espalier apple tree.
Its about 1.4m high with three branches one left and two right. Basically a T-shape. It a mulch base, with increasing clay soil as you go down.
I’ll need a couple of posts and a means of lateral support.
Star fence posts won’t probably be stable enough unless I concrete them in. Then what could be the lateral supports? Wire? The soil is hard clay beyond the top soil.
I don’t want to use wood.
I’d welcome photos drawings and details of materials footings, and fixings. Everywhere I look online for ideas I see them on fences. Not my situation here,
Hi @John57,
I'd suggest that Galvanised steel pipe would be a great option for a freestanding espalier frame, particularly in Melbourne’s conditions where rust resistance and durability are important. I’d suggest using 40–50mm gal pipe for the uprights, set about 1.8–2m above ground to give your tree room to grow, even though it’s currently 1.4m tall. In your clay soil, embed the posts at least 600mm deep in 200mm diameter holes filled with quick-set concrete for a strong footing.
For lateral support, you can either run 3–4mm stainless steel or galvanised wire horizontally between the posts or use thinner gal pipe as rigid crossbars. Wire is less obtrusive visually, while pipe gives a more solid frame. If you go with wire, drill through the uprights and install stainless steel eye bolts, threading the wire through and tensioning it with turnbuckles to keep it taut.
Position your lowest wire just below your lowest branch, then add wires about 40–50cm apart, aligning them with your existing branch layout and leaving some for future training. For extra stability in a freestanding design, consider short diagonal braces at each end made from the same HDG pipe or galvanised angle steel to prevent side movement in strong winds. This all-metal design avoids timber, resists rot, and, thanks to the hot-dip galvanising, should last for decades with little to no maintenance.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Small update
We had a friend over installing some lights so we asked him to pound in our star stakes. No concrete.
Architecturally, these are very visible and it looks very busy.
I’m not loving the look.
The round rebar is not as visible but still it’s ruining the backyard landscape.
John
Hello @John57
I understand your current dilemma; it seems like the frame design is not fitting in your garden layout. I propose giving your apple tree time to grow and flourish. As the tree grows it will become the focal point of the garden instead of the frame. If you are looking for a cosmetic fix it is possible to paint the rebars in black so that it will at least have a uniform look.
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Noelle and @mich1972 for their recommendations.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Good Afternoon @John57
Mmmm you have removed my favorite materiasl to use 
However I have an outside the box idea. Not sure if its possible or even wise but viewing wise it may be the easiest.
So two of the posts that @MitchellMc has mentioned (or three all up) across the width of your yard/area you want the espaliaed trees to be in. These are concreted in plus a 45 deg angled piece. Think of an old school long clothes line but instead of a horizontal drying mast, the strings/wires will be into the post itself.
You could use stainless steel wire stretched between the posts and the 45deg supports will help keep them vertical over the years as the trees use the wires to helkp carry the load.
Dave
