homestead.fyi / ESPALIER

Espalier Frame

Two buried 4x4 posts 8 ft apart, a 2x4 cap and four tensioned wires for a fruit tree trained flat.

Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
100 inWidth
70 inHeight
4Wires
3 to 4 hrBuild time
~$87.64Materials, part estimate

Drawings All dimensions in inches

3D viewfinished
3D view
Front elevation
Front elevation 101 1/2 in 95 1/2 in
Right elevation
Right elevation 4 1/2 in 95 1/2 in
Plan viewfrom above
Plan view 101 1/2 in 4 1/2 in

Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted

QtyStockLengthPartCut
12x4101 1/2Caplaid flat, screwed over the post tops
24x4 PT94Postburied 24 in

Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim

2x4 x 10 ft
Cap 101 1/2
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post 1 94
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post 2 94

Shopping list $75.64 checked / $12.00 estimated

ItemStoreQtyEachLineNote
2x4x10 stud, SPFHome Depot1$5.46$5.46see lumber cutting diagram
4x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot2$11.28$22.56see lumber cutting diagram
UV zip ties 11 in, 100 ct (also used for tie wire)Home Depot1$17.65$17.65wire; use 12.5 gauge for the cables
Carriage bolts, nuts and washers, 12 packHome Depot1$12.00$12.00eye bolts or carriage bolts
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb boxHome Depot1$29.97$29.97
Total before tax~$87.64
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.

Build steps

  1. Dig two 24 in holes 8 ft apart and set the 4x4 posts plumb in gravel, tamped, tops 70 in above the ground.
  2. Screw the 2x4 cap across the post tops to tie them together.
  3. Drill each post at 16, 32, 48 and 64 in for a 3/8 in eye bolt. Thread a wire between the eye bolts of the two posts and tighten it.
  4. Plant a whip or a young fruit tree at the middle and tie its branches to the wires with soft ties as it grows.

Before you start