Bonsai growers use this technique to increase trunk girth and decrease watering requirements.
I do my citrus and figs partially this way with the pots 1/4 to 1/3 into the ground.
@PearTree I tend to overwater my potted trees as well. It’s a tough balance to keep them wet enough to grow well but not too wet, and there are so many factors of weather, soil/medium. Best of luck. Your espalier form looks great.
They grow faster in my soil than in a pot and I don’t have a good enough well to maintain too many trees in pots at one time. I sell the majority of my trees as big bare root trees.
