6 Best Plant Training Clips For Espalier Trees That Old Gardeners Trust
Achieve perfect espalier form with tools trusted by experts. Explore the 6 best plant training clips veteran gardeners use for precise, gentle shaping.
You’ve spent a season nurturing that young apple whip, and now its branches are finally long enough to begin training against a wire. The temptation is to grab any old twist tie, but the tool you choose to secure those first pliable branches will shape the tree for decades. Choosing the right clip isn’t just about holding a branch in place; it’s about guiding growth without causing damage that can invite disease and weaken the tree.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
The Art of Espalier: Choosing Your Clips
The entire point of espalier is control. You’re telling a tree exactly where to grow, creating a living sculpture that’s both productive and beautiful. The clips and ties you use are your primary tools for communication with the plant. A bad choice can girdle a branch, chafe the bark, or snap under pressure, undoing a whole season of careful work.
Think about the job a clip has to do over its lifetime. In the spring, it holds a soft, green shoot. By fall, that shoot has become woody and thicker. The clip must be gentle enough for the former and forgiving enough for the latter. The best clip is one that is strong, adjustable, and won’t damage the bark.
When selecting a clip, consider three main factors:
- Material: Is it soft plastic that will degrade in the sun, or a durable, UV-stabilized material? Will it hold moisture against the bark?
- Adjustability: Can it be loosened as the branch thickens? A non-adjustable tie is a future problem waiting to happen.
- Ease of Use: You’ll be adjusting these more than you think. A clip that’s a pain to open and close will make the job a chore, and chores get skipped.
Luster Leaf Rapiclip: The Classic Choice
Almost every gardener has used these simple, green plastic rings. They are inexpensive, widely available, and incredibly simple to snap shut. For training the very first, pencil-thin shoots of a new espalier, they can do the job in a pinch. They’re quick to apply and get the branch pointed in the right direction.
However, their simplicity is also their biggest weakness. Rapiclips are not adjustable. As a branch grows and thickens, the rigid plastic ring will cut into the bark, a process called girdling that can kill the branch entirely. They also become brittle after a season in the sun and can snap unexpectedly, letting a branch spring out of position.
Think of these as temporary, short-term tools. Use them to position brand-new growth for a few months, but make a plan to replace them with a more forgiving option before the branch begins to harden off and expand. They are a starting point, not a permanent solution.
Gardener’s Blue Ribbon Sturdy Twist Ties
This isn’t a clip, but it’s a staple for a reason. This product is essentially a flexible wire coated in a soft, thick layer of foam or rubber. You cut a piece to length and twist it around the branch and support wire. Its main advantage is infinite adjustability and a very gentle touch.
The soft coating is excellent for preventing bark damage, even on vigorous growth. You can create a loose loop that gives the branch plenty of room to grow, and you can easily untwist and retighten it as needed. This makes it ideal for securing main structural branches—the permanent "arms" of your espalier—where you absolutely cannot afford any chafing.
The tradeoff is durability and aesthetics. The inner wire can eventually rust and break after a few seasons of exposure to the elements. They also don’t provide the neat, uniform look of a purpose-built clip, which may matter to those aiming for a highly ornamental design. They are workhorses, not show ponies.
Haxnicks Easy-Fit Reusable Plant Clips
These clips represent a smart evolution of the classic plastic ring. Often designed in a two-piece or hinged format, they are built from more durable, UV-resistant plastic. Their key feature is a design that allows for easy opening and closing, making adjustments far simpler than with cheaper clips.
Many Haxnicks-style clips offer a slightly larger diameter, anticipating future growth. While not truly "adjustable" in the sense of a tie, their robust build and easy reusability mean you can simply swap out a smaller clip for a larger one as the tree matures. This makes them a great middle-ground option.
They provide a much cleaner look than twist ties and are far more reliable than the brittle Rapiclips. They are particularly useful for the secondary branches of an espalier, where you need a firm hold but also the ability to make quick adjustments during the growing season. The initial cost is higher, but their longevity makes them a sound investment.
Zenport ZJ68 Adjustable Plant Tie Tape
This stretchy, green vinyl tape is a fantastic tool for espalier, though it requires a bit of technique. Sold in a roll, you cut off the length you need and tie the branch to its support. Its magic lies in its elasticity; the tape stretches as the branch thickens, dramatically reducing the risk of girdling.
The proper way to use it is with a figure-eight loop. Wrap the tape around the branch, cross it over itself, and then wrap it around the support wire before tying it off. This crossover in the middle prevents the branch from rubbing directly against the wire, offering an extra layer of protection.
This method is incredibly versatile and gentle, but it’s not without drawbacks. The tape will eventually degrade under UV light and can become brittle after a couple of years. Tying knots is also slower than snapping on a clip, especially when you have dozens of points to secure. It’s an excellent choice for young, developing trees where flexibility is paramount.
FarmTek Spring-Action Clips for Espalier
When you move from training tender shoots to securing woody, established branches, you need more holding power. Spring-action clips, often seen in commercial orchards, are perfect for this job. These sturdy clips use a metal spring to provide constant, firm pressure without being restrictive.
These clips are fast. You can attach or move one with a single-handed squeeze, making adjustments across a large tree incredibly efficient. They are built from heavy-duty, weather-resistant plastic and are designed to last for many seasons. The open design allows for good airflow and doesn’t trap moisture against the bark.
Their strength can be a downside for very delicate growth. The spring pressure might be too much for the softest new shoots. Reserve these for second-year and older branches that are already woody and need to be held firmly against a trellis wire, especially once they begin bearing the weight of fruit.
VELCRO Brand ONE-WRAP for Delicate Branches
For the most delicate work, nothing beats the soft touch of Velcro plant ties. This product is a long strip of double-sided hook-and-loop material that is infinitely adjustable and exceptionally gentle on bark. You simply cut a piece to size and wrap it around the branch and support.
This is the go-to choice for training the tips of new growth or for securing branches on very young trees with thin, easily damaged bark. Because it’s a fabric-like material, it breathes and won’t trap moisture, reducing the risk of fungal issues. You can secure a branch snugly without any fear of bruising or scraping the cambium layer.
The main tradeoff is strength and longevity. Velcro ties are not meant to support heavy loads and will lose their grip over time as the hooks fill with debris or degrade in the sun. Use them for fine-tuning and detailed shaping, not for anchoring the main, load-bearing structure of your tree.
Proper Clip Placement for Healthy Growth
The best clip in the world can still cause damage if used incorrectly. The cardinal rule is to never attach a clip so tightly that it constricts the branch. A good rule of thumb is to leave enough space to easily slide a pencil between the tie and the branch. This gap gives the branch room to grow.
When possible, place your clip or tie just beyond a leaf node or a bud. These slight swellings on the branch act as natural anchors, preventing the tie from sliding out of position along a smooth section of bark. This ensures the branch is held securely where you want it.
Finally, make inspecting your clips a regular part of your routine. Check them in late spring, after the first major flush of growth, and again in the fall as you prepare the garden for winter. Look for any signs of biting, chafing, or tension. The goal of a clip is to be a temporary guide, not a permanent restraint.
Ultimately, the right clip is the one that fits the age of the branch and your goals for the tree. Most well-tended espaliers will feature a mix of different ties and clips, each chosen for a specific job. By matching the tool to the task, you ensure your living fence grows healthy, strong, and exactly as you envisioned.
