This website is dedicated to ensuring your espalier journey is not only successful but also rewarding and enjoyable

Richard Hallman holding a detached branch of an apple tree talking to group of gardeners at the University of British Columbia Apple Festival

Teaching how to training espalier fruit trees at the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden Annual Apple Festival

My background includes 45 years as an advisor to commercial and home orchardists and an enduring passion for espalier fruit trees. Orchardists rely on their advisors for dependable and reliable advice. Now I am providing that level of service virtually to espalier fruit tree gardeners.

My Story

My Start: I grew up on a commercial orchard where my fascination with plant growth developed. I started grafting fruit trees and experimenting with how plant growth when I was 12 years old.

Training: I studied Plant Science with a focus on plant physiology and biochemistry at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Agricultural Sciences.

Travelled: After University I meet my wife Deb and we embarked on the adventure of a life time traveling and working for two years through the South Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand. We worked harvesting bananas, and Watermelons in Queensland, pears in Victoria, a plant nursery in South Australia and four months picking apples Tasmania. I now use that experience assisting espalier fruit tree gardeners across the Southern Hemisphere.

Employment: Back in British Columbia, I was employed for 45 years as professional fruit tree advisor to commercial and home orchardists. 30 years as a Government Extension Specialist for the British Columbia government and the last 15 as a private consultant.

Pomologist in Residence: In 2014 I was appointed for three years as Pomologist in Residence at the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden. This world class collection of espalier fruit trees was in need of renewal. My role was to develop a plan for the renewal of that collection.

Hands on Espalier Training Experience: During the last 15 years I provided in person and virtual espalier training advice to thousands of gardeners and taught 150+ in person espalier workshops. And more importantly, I have trained hundreds of espalier trees in my garden and the gardens of clients.

Image of the commercial orchard where Richard grew up.

The commercial orchard east of Kelowna, in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada, where I grew up.

Me harvesting pears in Shepperton, State of Victoria, Australia 1975

Image of roadway between various forms of espalier fruit trees at UBC Botanical Garden

Part of the Original Collection of Espalier Fruit Trees at the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden