Stepover espaliering means exactly what it suggests: the fruit trees are trained in a single tier that is so low you can literally step over them.
The height they are allowed to reach is roughly 50–60cm (sometimes higher) and the T-shaped spread is 1.2–1.5m.
Traditionally, stepovers were often planted around kitchen gardens and on allotments where the blossoms would attract pollinators, but they also make impressive borders and a charming way to grow fruit in small spaces.
While the fruit on the dwarf trees is normal size — perhaps even bigger and tastier due to better access to sun and light — stepovers are not quite as productive as regular apple trees, but they do have great ornamental value.
Stepovers also need a bit of pruning to keep their shape but on the plus…
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Good Organic Gardening (Digital) - 1 Issue, 15.2