Pomegranate step-over method

[bopcrane]

Just wondering if anyone has tried this, or what your thoughts are on the subject - it seems the step over method works quite well for growing figs and makes for a tidy system of managing the trees

Was considering trying this soon with a low growing variety such as Agat (as well as some other varieties for comparison)

[greenfig]

I actually thought about this a while back but than changed my mind.
The pomegranates are very heavy fruit and with low branches its going to be too close to the ground and most likely touching it which will cause the fruit rot.
Also, the protection from the critters and excessive moisture becomes problematic at least for me. When it rains or sprinklers are active, the water would hit the fruit, you don't want to have this. And one more point, which I am not sure how important, higher above ground it's warmer. I noticed the highest fruits are always sweeter.

Just my 5 cents but your take might different on this.
As an alternative, the pomegranate trees respond to espalier very well. You can shape them the way you like it easily.

[bopcrane]

I actually thought about this a while back but than changed my mind.
The pomegranates are very heavy fruit and with low branches its going to be too close to the ground and most likely touching it which will cause the fruit rot.
Also, the protection from the critters and excessive moisture becomes problematic at least for me. When it rains or sprinklers are active, the water would hit the fruit, you don't want to have this. And one more point, which I am not sure how important, higher above ground it's warmer. I noticed the highest fruits are always sweeter.

Just my 5 cents but your take might different on this.
As an alternative, the pomegranate trees respond to espalier very well. You can shape them the way you like it easily.

Thanks for the response, I hadn't considered how heavy the fruit is vs figs and the branches potentially sagging too close to the ground, I wonder if a modified step over raised a bit higher off of the ground (instead of a T shape, perhaps a Y, with sturdier branches selected?) might do better with regards to that. I don't use sprinklers in my GH but I agree, I think moisture could be a concern, perhaps drip irrigation would mitigate at least part of that risk (and perhaps some kind of mulch or plastic barrier on the ground? it seems to keep my melons and strawberries from rotting where touching the ground might be an issue).

I'm lucky enough to not have too much of a critter problem in my GH so far. Also, I hadn't considered the impact of height/temperature on the fruits, either, thank you for that! Trying to poke as many holes in this idea as possible before I attempt it

[greenfig]

@bopcrane ,I think it might be an interesting approach for a plant design but the one that would need several years to get done. Pomegranate trees are not super fast growers and the branches are thin so you will need an elaborate support at least before they can support themselves.
Also, the way the trees grow naturally, the branches don’t go straight up like with figs . They grow up and they lean to the ground, this would become the support for the next season growth and so on. I think you can use this habit for your advantage and create something unique