Espaliered Pear Trees

Kathy, a gardener who's blog I follow, uses some great words to describe her garden and her hard work. I had to look up "espaliered" -- always the right thing to do when you are a serious poet.

According to North Carolina State University: Espalier (ess-PAL-yer) is the practice of controlling plant growth so that it grows relatively flat against a structure such as a wall, fence, or trellis. In the 17th Century, espalier originally referred to the frame or trellis on which the plant was trained. Today, espalier refers to both the plant and the horticultural technique of actually training the plant. Espaliered plants can be used to create a focal point and as a form of art. In an area where space is limited or where a plant is needed to accent a large blank wall an espaliered plant can be an outstanding landscape feature. A mature espalier plant will catch the eye of almost any visitor to your home.

I have not written a poem about this phenomenon, but I will. In the meantime, pictures.