Planting and caring for columnar apple trees - features and tips

Recently, columnar apple trees or columnar pears - strange trees, more like lonely branches strewn with fruits, have begun to appear more and more often in summer cottages. Their appearance fascinates, but they are attractive not only for their uniqueness - it is easier to care for the plantings of columnar apples and pears, they need less space in the garden. If you choose the right variety, then they can be grown both in the Moscow region and in Siberia.

Features of columnar apple trees

Columnar apple trees appeared, and then pears, relatively recently, one might say, almost by accident. In 1964, an interesting mutation was noticed in Canada - a branch grew on a fifty-year-old Macintosh apple tree, on which the fruits were arranged in an unusual way. The breeders managed to create the Vazhak variety with the same properties - the fruits grew on the trunk itself and on very short fruit branches. And after that, already in the 80s, several varieties of apple trees were created, and then pears, which, by their external similarity, were called columnar. Original in appearance, compact and productive, they quickly interested breeders - the result today is a large selection of varieties of dwarf, semi-dwarf and tall trees.

Columnar trees grow up to a maximum of 2.5 meters in height and 30 to 50 centimeters wide. Each tree represents one trunk, from which short fruit-bearing branches grow at an acute angle. If you do not prune the crown, the tree will resemble a pyramidal poplar. Compact roots allow for very dense planting, it is easy to harvest from closely growing apple and pear trees, it is convenient to care for them (foliar dressing, medicinal spraying). If the owner manages to create the necessary conditions and properly organize good care, then from each tree, depending on the variety, you can get from 6 to 12 kg of fruit.

The main disadvantage of columnar apple trees and pears is not too long fruiting period. If you plant a tree in spring, then after good rooting it can immediately bloom and even bear fruit (but experts advise removing the flowers of the first year). Until the seventh or eighth year, the number of fruits with good care will only increase, and then it will gradually decline. Although most varieties bear fruit for at least 15 years, the number of fruits of the eighth and fifteenth years is very different. So it turns out that having bought expensive seedlings, after 10 years or a little more, the owner must change the tree.

Until recently, these unusual trees, if they appeared in private gardens, performed more of a decorative function. A not too large root system allows them to be grown not only in the open field, but even in large flowerpots that can be moved from place to place, taking into account design requirements. But it seems that these graceful trees, hung with fruits, still found their way to the hearts of summer residents.

Which variety to choose

It is best to buy seedlings of columnar apple and pear trees in special nurseries, because on the market you can take ordinary varieties that have been grafted onto dwarf rootstocks and formed a similar crown shape. The most popular early varieties that ripen in the summer are President, Amber Necklace and Medoc. Among the most late ripening can be noted "Arbat", "Moscow necklace", "Currency", "Bolero". From mid-season, usually grown "Titania", "Vasyugan", "Jin". There are no big differences in leaving.

“President” and “Medoc” are semi-dwarf varieties, trees do not grow higher than 2 meters, fruits ripen in late summer or autumn.

These are frost-resistant varieties, they survive the winter with forty-degree frosts without loss, grow in Western Siberia. The compact root system tolerates transplants well. The fruits of both varieties are large - 200 - 250 g, only Medka has very sweet, and President's - with sourness. They can also be distinguished by their color - apples of the “President” variety are slightly yellow, and not of a rich yellow color, as in the “Medoc” variety.

Juicy crispy apples of the "Amber Necklace" variety are not at all amber in color, they are rather golden, with a blush and a greenish barrel. Small fruits (up to 170 g) ripen in autumn, usually until mid-September. "Amber necklace" is considered a frost-resistant variety, but the top of the tree can freeze in winter, it is better to cover it. If you plant a tree in spring, then it will bloom immediately after rooting, you can let it bear fruit, but experts advise to thin the ovaries strongly.

Autumn variety "Vasyugan" grows up to 3m, bears fruit immediately after planting, with good care it gives up to 10 kg of aromatic sweet and sour apples. Its elongated red with green fruits usually reach 200 g and ripen by mid-September. "Vasyugan" easily tolerates frosts of forty degrees, is resistant to diseases and pests, can grow in Siberia.

The winter variety "Moscow Necklace" is very popular among gardeners (not only in the Moscow region). Its fruits are usually less than 190 g, round, red, with a dense skin and juicy pulp, have a pleasant aroma and a sweet taste with a slight sourness, ripen in the middle of October. "Moscow necklace" easily tolerates frosts, practically does not get sick, but has one feature - it is a self-infertile variety. "Moscow necklace" will not be able to bear fruit if apple trees of other varieties do not grow nearby.

Dwarf "Currency" is also considered a winter variety, gives up to 12 kg of apples from one tree, and begins to bear fruit immediately after rooting. Valyuta's fruits are round-flat, red with a golden blush, thin-skinned, with a sweet dessert taste. Caring for "Valyuta" does without chemicals, because the trees practically do not get sick, it is not the most frost-resistant variety, but it ripens well in the middle lane. May be a good neighbor for the Moscow Necklace.

It is difficult to choose from varieties when they all give such delicious beautiful fruits, but you need to pay attention not so much to the taste of the fruit, but to the ability to grow and bear fruit without special care in the right area.

When is the best time to plant

Columnar apple and pear trees are planted, like all other trees - in spring or autumn. In spring, this is done before bud break, after about mid-April (the date depends on the time of arrival of heat), and in autumn - towards the end of September, while it is still warm, and the tree can take root before frost. Some experts say that it will be right to plant in spring - then the tree will definitely take root and will not suffer from cold weather. Others argue that after planting in the fall, fruiting in the first year will not harm the tree.

Be that as it may, both options give good results, so each owner simply chooses the one that is more convenient for him.

How to plant correctly

Columnar trees are rarely planted one at a time, and for large plantings they usually prefer dense trees, that is, they are placed close to each other. Most often, they are planted in rows along paths or fences, and so between the trees in a row they leave 40 or 50 cm, and between the rows - 1 meter. With such a dense planting, these small but very productive trees quickly deplete the soil, which is why it is well fertilized in advance.

If only one tree is planted, then a hole is prepared for it in advance: for spring planting - in autumn, and for autumn planting - in spring.It is enough to dig a cube with a side of 50 cm, place compost or humus (4 kg) on ​​the bottom, 2 tablespoons of superphosphate and potassium each. If the soil is acidic, then add 50 g of dolomite flour. The pit and the excavated soil must be covered so that the rains do not wash out, leave it there until the moment of planting.

Before planting, you need to inspect the seedling well (it would be correct to take an annual) - its trunk should be devoid of leaves, and the roots should be moist. If the roots are dry, then they are immersed in warm water for 10 hours, the wrinkled bark at the top near the kidney also testifies to drying out, then a warm bath for the roots will also help. You can even trim off some of the secondary roots so that they absorb moisture more quickly.

The pit has probably crumbled, which means you need to restore its original shape, mix the compost inside, take out part of it, then place the seedling so that the roots are straightened, fill up the compost and soil. If the tree is planted correctly, then its root collar rises 5 cm above the ground level. Each tree must be watered with a couple of buckets of water, then the soil around it should be mulched. Usually, a trellis is driven in near young seedlings and very carefully, without damaging the bark and twigs, a tree is tied.

Since trees love water, but do not tolerate its stagnation well, it is better to make a good drainage layer in the lowland at the bottom of the pit. It is better not to plant them where groundwater is close.

Video "Planting Columnar Apple Trees"

This video will show you how to properly plant columnar apple trees.