How to Create Your Own Pleached Trees: Care and Cost

Pleached trees have branches that are trained to grow parallel on top of a stem creates a beautiful, leafy wall that offers both privacy and a touch of elegance.

Growing and maintaining these trees requires some know-how and dedication.

In this article, I’ll share what I’ve learned about caring for pleached trees and how they can transform your garden into a private retreat.

What Are Pleached Trees?

Pleached trees are one of my favorite ways to add charm and elegance to a garden. Picture trees with a single tall trunk topped by a screen of branches trained to grow along a frame. When these trees are placed together, they almost look like a hedge floating on tall legs, creating a striking narrow screen.

Nowadays, they’re making a comeback because they’re great for adding privacy or hiding things you don’t want to see. Some people even use pleached fruit trees to add both beauty and function to their gardens.

Height of Pleached Trees

Pleached trees, in my experience, vary in height depending on their type. Typically, their stems range between 70 in to 90 in tall. The branches and leaves sit above this, contributing to their overall appearance.

To shape pleached trees as you wish, pruning is key. They come with different frame sizes, often starting around 45 in x 60 in. Their growth can also be influenced by factors like environmental conditions and USDA hardiness zone.

Ideal Trees for Pleaching

Pleaching is a fantastic way to add a formal touch to your landscape, and choosing the right type of tree is essential. For vibrant walkways or screens, Lime trees (Tilia) are an excellent choice. They grow quickly, with lovely dark green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. This makes them perfect if you want to establish your pleached garden swiftly.

When it comes to year-round privacy, I’m a big fan of Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). Although technically a shrub, its evergreen nature makes it great for screening. The glossy green leaves stay lush all year, and in the spring, you’ll have beautiful white flowers. Plus, I love the cherry-like fruit that turns from red to black in the autumn. It grows upright and bushy, which is exactly what you want for pleaching.

For those with limited space, the Crab apple Everest (Malus) is a wonderful option. In the spring, this tree boasts pink and white blossoms, and its glossy green leaves eventually transform to a lovely yellow in the fall. Adding to its charm, it produces small pink and orange apples in the winter. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller gardens where space is limited.

How to Pleach a Tree

First Year

Starting with a young tree, about 3-4 years old, is crucial for success. During winter, I position a sturdy vertical stake to the height where I want the plants to grow. At the top, I fix a rectangle-shaped framework.

To guide the growth, I remove any side branches below the frame, and carefully tie the remaining branches horizontally to the framework.

Second Year

In the second year, I continue guiding the main branches along the framework, making sure they are trained to grow horizontally. For smaller branches that appear from these main ones, I cut them back to just 2 or 3 buds.

It’s also a must to remove any shoots that grow from the main trunk below the framework.

Third Year

During the third winter, any branches extending out past the framework get trimmed. Other branches are tied or woven in to ensure the framework fills out nicely.

Once everything grows in fully, it’s much like trimming a hedge to maintain its shape and density.

Spacing the trees is key if you’re planting several. I keep them around 40 inches apart to give each tree room to grow, and I ensure they are safe distances from fences and buildings.

Is it Possible to Pleach an Established Tree?

Braiding a grown tree is quite a challenge. When a tree grows naturally, it tends to have many branches lower down with a dense crown. To braid it, I would need to trim those lower branches, which could be difficult and make the tree look uneven.

The thick and well-established branches make training it against a frame rather tough. It’s often easier to choose a mature tree that was already braided when young. This way, I can enjoy the look I desire without all the complications.

Planting Pleached Trees

When planting pleached trees, I start by choosing a location that’s either flat or has a slight slope. It’s like selecting a good home for them where they can thrive.

Before planting, I give the tree roots a good soak in a bucket of water, letting them sit for at least 10 minutes. This ensures they’re well-hydrated before going into the ground.

While the roots are soaking, I dig a square hole that’s slightly wider than the tree’s pot but not deeper.

After removing the tree from its container or wrapping, I gently tease out the roots, snipping away any damaged ones. I stand the tree in its new home, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the ground.

Remembering that the root ball needs to be snug is essential, as air pockets aren’t their friends.

Backfilling is the next step. I use the soil I dug up, shaking the tree slightly to help the earth settle nicely around the roots.

It’s crucial that the roots are in contact with the soil, so I make sure to firm it up well.

For the first few years, staking is necessary. I place a stake about a third of the tree’s height at a 45-degree angle to help stabilize it.

It’s like offering a helping hand until they can stand tall on their own.

Watering the tree deeply is a top priority after planting. Consistent pruning and maintenance follow these steps, helping it stay healthy and grow beautifully over time.

Can You Grow Pleached Trees in Pots?

Yes, pleached trees can be grown in pots, but they might not achieve the desired appearance as quickly. Containers limit root space, which can affect growth and stability.

With limited room, the roots can’t spread and strengthen as they would in the ground. This can lead to weaker trees that might struggle with nutrient uptake.

It’s beneficial to plant them directly in the soil for optimal health. Using mulch, like well-rotted compost every spring, helps pleached trees thrive. Consider space and stability if you’re thinking about a greenhouse setup.

Caring for Your Pleached Trees

I always start by making sure my pleached trees get the right amount of sunshine since they love full sun exposure.

To keep my trees happy, especially when it’s dry, I give them plenty of water during the first year. I also add a layer of organic mulch, like well-rotted compost, each spring. It helps maintain humidity and keeps the trees healthy.

Regular monitoring for pests and diseases ensures I catch any issues early.

Tips for Trimming Pleached Trees

When I take care of my pleached trees, I focus on a few key tasks.

I keep the trunk clean by removing new shoots as soon as they pop up. In the summer, I pay close attention to lateral branches that grow outward and trim them to maintain the tree’s shape.

At least once or twice a year, I clip the tree to promote thick growth, ensuring a lush, green screen.

What is the Price of Pleached Trees?

The price of pleached trees can really vary based on a few factors. If you’re looking at fresh pleached trees, you might find prices ranging from $250 to $400.

On the other hand, if you’re considering mature trees, expect to see costs between $350 and $550. Why the higher price? It takes a good deal of patience and know-how to nurture a tree into a beautiful pleached form. This effort is reflected in the cost.

For those keeping a budget in mind, purchasing a younger tree could be a good option. It’s more affordable and offers the chance to train it as it grows.