A pleached tree is trained on a flat frame: a clear stem below, a canopy tied into a rectangle above. It is what landscapers and garden centres specify for green screening in urban projects and on commercial terraces, where a hedge would need years to reach the same height.
Vivai Reali has been growing in Pistoia since 1978, on 30 hectares. This article covers two evergreen species that the catalogue lists with tall-stem pleached forms: Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ and Elaeagnus ebbingei.
What “Pleached” Means in the Catalogue
In the Vivai Reali catalogue pleached trees are listed under the Italian word spalliera. The catalogue distinguishes several forms:
- Alto fusto spalliera (tall stem, pleached): the tree most UK buyers mean by “pleached”
- 3/4 fusto spalliera (three-quarter stem, pleached)
- Spalliera on its own: panels on a frame, which include small formats (the smallest listed frame is 80×50 cm)
The figures below count only the tall-stem and three-quarter-stem entries.
Two Evergreen Species on Frames
- Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’. Hardiness (site data sheet): Zone 6, -23/-18 °C; Salt tolerance: Not tolerant; Pleached entries in the catalogue*: 54
- Elaeagnus ebbingei. Hardiness (site data sheet): Zone 7, -17/-12 °C; Salt tolerance: Tolerant; Pleached entries in the catalogue*: 16
*Catalogue on 20 October 2026. Each entry is a combination of form, pot and size, not a stock quantity.
Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’
Evergreen, with the red new growth that made the variety a staple of hedging. On a frame, every branch is tied to the structure and pruned by hand, season after season, until the form is ready for the customer. The data sheet describes a shrub with white flowers in April and May, listed for hedges and pots, that resists atmospheric and urban pollution. Pots from 25 to 180 litres, trunk girth from 6/8 cm to 16/18 cm, frames from 120×80 to 180×200 cm.
Elaeagnus ebbingei
Evergreen shrub with cream-white flowers from September to December. The data sheet lists it for gardens, hedges and avenues, in a sunny position, on moderately acid soil, and marks it as tolerant of salinity. Pots from 25 to 130 litres, trunk girth from 6/8 cm to 16/18 cm, mostly on a 180×120 cm frame.
Frames, Pots and Trunks
The most frequent frame for both species is 180×120 cm. Other formats exist, from 120×80 up to 180×200 cm. Pots range from 25 to 180 litres.
These are catalogue listings. Which combinations are available today is shown on the Stock List.
Which Species for Which Site
- Salt-laden air: the data sheet marks Elaeagnus ebbingei as tolerant of salinity and Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ as not tolerant.
- Colder sites: compare each species’ zone with the planting site. On the data sheet Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ (Zone 6) is hardier than Elaeagnus ebbingei (Zone 7).
- Soil: neutral for the Photinia, moderately acid for the Elaeagnus.
Ordering for UK Buyers
Vivai Reali supplies trade buyers only: nurseries, garden centres, landscapers and resellers. No retail. Prices are provided after the buyer is qualified.
Lead time: 1-2 weeks from order confirmation, including phytosanitary certification for UK export. Longer in the spring and autumn peaks, agreed at order confirmation.
Documentation: Vivai Reali prepares the phytosanitary certificate and any Additional Declarations for UK consignments. The IPAFFS pre-notification is completed on the UK side by the importer or the customs agent. Before ordering, check the current UK risk category of each species on the UK Plant Health Portal (planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk).
Incoterms: EXW / FCA ex-nursery Pistoia as standard. DAP for established partner accounts. Full and partial loads; volumes are agreed per order.
Confirm form, size and quantity with the sales team before the delivery window you need.
Irish buyers: the Republic of Ireland is not subject to BTOM or phytosanitary certificate requirements. Intra-EU plant passport rules apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pleached tree?
A tree trained on a flat frame, with a clear stem below and a canopy tied into a rectangle above. In the Vivai Reali catalogue the tall-stem forms are listed as alto fusto spalliera and 3/4 fusto spalliera.
Which evergreen species does Vivai Reali supply as pleached trees?
Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ (54 tall-stem and three-quarter-stem entries in the catalogue on 20 October 2026) and Elaeagnus ebbingei (16). Availability today is shown on the Stock List.
What frame and pot sizes are listed?
The most frequent frame is 180×120 cm, with formats from 120×80 to 180×200 cm. Pots range from 25 to 180 litres.
What is the lead time for pleached trees to the UK?
Vivai Reali’s standard lead time is 1-2 weeks from order confirmation, including phytosanitary certification, and longer in the spring and autumn peaks. Standard Incoterms are EXW/FCA ex-nursery Pistoia; DAP is available for established partner accounts.
Who handles the export documents for the UK?
Vivai Reali prepares the phytosanitary certificate and any Additional Declarations. The IPAFFS pre-notification is completed on the UK side by the importer or the customs agent.
Can I get support choosing species, formats and quantities?
Yes. Vivai Reali’s staff are available for information and support on availability, formats, documentation and shipment planning. For enquiries and quotes: contact us.
→ View Stock List: pleached trees available now
