Apple tree columnar planting and care in the open field

No garden is complete without apple trees. However, not every summer cottage has a place for planting several spreading trees. An excellent solution for the classic six acres is the planting of columnar apple trees. In this article, you will find tips for beginner gardeners on how to properly plant and care for these compact trees.

Description

The columnar apple tree is the result of a natural mutation. In 1964, a Canadian gardener saw a branch without side branches on a Macintosh apple tree, densely strewn with apples. A curious gardener planted some of the cuttings on apple rootstocks. The mutation turned out to be stable, and breeders in many countries began to breed unusual trees. After some time, columnar apple trees spread throughout the world.

These apple trees are similar to pyramidal poplar or cypress due to the fact that the branches from the trunk diverge at an acute angle. Scientists have found that such branch growth is caused by the presence of the Co gene. Only apple trees that have this gene are considered columnar. Common varieties grafted onto dwarf rootstocks are not. Therefore, consider this when buying seedlings. Planting and caring for columnar apple trees has a number of features, having studied which you can grow a whole garden on your site.

Landing

Now we will tell you in detail how to plant a columnar apple tree.Columnar apple trees can be planted in spring or early autumn. The landing area should be open to sunlight and protected from the wind. One-year-old seedlings take root better. For spring planting, the pit is prepared in the fall, and for the fall - in the spring. If it is impossible to prepare the pit so early, it is prepared at least 14 days before planting.

A pit of 100x100x100 cm is considered optimal. When digging a hole, you need to separate fertile and infertile soils. Several buckets of compost or humus (30–40 l), potash (80–100 g) and superphosphate (100 g) fertilizers are added to the fertile part. The bottom is laid by drainage from crushed stone or sand, the enriched fertile soil is placed in a pit and left for 2 weeks. When planting a seedling, the fertile soil is poured with a slide on which the seedling is installed. For better rooting, the tips of the roots are slightly trimmed. If the roots are dry, then before planting they need to be immersed in water for 10 hours.

The straightened roots are covered with earth so that the grafting point rises by 2-3 cm, and the root collar is at ground level. After planting, the pit is tamped and watered abundantly - 1-2 buckets under each tree. To reduce evaporation, it can be covered with grass. Columnar apple trees should be planted at a distance of 1 m between rows and 50 cm between trees. How to plant a columnar apple tree in the fall? Usually disembarkation is carried out at the end of September in warm weather. In the fall, adult seedlings are planted in a similar way.

Grooming and pruning

Caring for a columnar apple tree after planting consists in proper feeding and watering. The first feeding should be applied after bud break. The next 3 dressings are applied two weeks apart. For feeding, prepare the following nutrient mixture:

• 1 bucket of water;
• 1 shovel of fresh manure;
• 1 tbsp. l. urea.

Nitrogen fertilizers are used for spring feeding. In addition, in the spring, they do treatment for pests and diseases, as well as thinning. In a seedling of the first year, the buds are completely removed, in second years, 10 flowers are left, on mature trees 2 times more flowers are left than there should be apples.

Summer fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out in early June. In August, the application of nitrogen and organic fertilizers must be stopped. Also, in the summer, re-thinning is carried out - ½ part of the emerging ovary is removed. With the size of apples and cherries, two ovaries are left on each inflorescence. When the apples have grown to the size of a nut, only one ovary is left on each link.

Summer treatment against pests is carried out no later than a month before harvest. After harvesting, trees need to be fed and re-treated for pests.

Basically, columnar apple trees do not need pruning. Usually, only the main shoot develops, and long lateral ones appear only when the apical bud is damaged. If this happens, the longest shoot should be left at least 20 cm long, and the rest should be cut off. For trees requiring crown formation, pruning is carried out in early spring before sap flow begins.

In one-year-old trees, all lateral shoots are cut off, leaving two buds on each branch, from which shoots later grow. The next year, the vertical branch is cut again, leaving two buds, and the horizontal branch must be left to form the fruit. A year later, the fruitful branch is pruned into a ring. In the fourth year, lateral and incorrectly grown branches are thinned out. In subsequent years, only dried and weak shoots are subject to removal.

Preparing for winter

The apical bud of a columnar apple tree, which gives several vertical shoots when freezing, is primarily susceptible to winter frost. To preserve the columnar shape of the tree, for the winter the top is covered with a rag under a plastic bag. You also need to prevent root freezing. To do this, the near-trunk circle is covered with sawdust or spruce branches, and the growth point is wrapped in several layers of fabric or nylon stockings.

The best protection against frost is snow, which must be shoveled abundantly to the near-trunk circle. So that the planting does not melt when thawing, at the end of February the snow is shoveled from the tree. To prevent the trunk from breaking during strong gusts of wind, it is tied to a support.As the temperature rises, the trees should be gradually opened and ventilated to avoid overheating of the flower buds.

Diseases and pests

For miniature apple trees, the same pests are dangerous as for tall trees - scab, aphids, moths, mites, fruit and fruit moths, sawfly and other insects, to combat which insecticides are used. For the treatment of diseases, apple trees are treated with "Fitosporin" or "Trichodermin".

Pros and cons of growing

The main advantage of the columnar apple is its compactness - the average height of the tree is 2.5 m, and the width is 0.5 m. Due to its short stature, the harvesting process is simplified. Apple trees provide little shade, which allows other plants to be planted between them. This type of apple tree is often used in exterior design. Some varieties have narrow root systems and can even grow in tubs. Another indisputable advantage of columnar apple trees is their high yield and early maturity. Usually trees begin to bear fruit as early as 2 years, and up to 12 kg of apples can be removed from one tree.

The disadvantages are the high price of seedlings and the limited life of the trees. In most varieties, fertility begins to decrease from the 7th year of life and completely disappears by the 15th. Also, the disadvantages include the fragility of the growth point and weak roots.

And although the cultivation of columnar apple trees requires constant care, it will more than pay off with a high yield and unsurpassed beauty of the trees. At the same time, experienced gardeners recommend buying planting material in nurseries or specialized garden centers, where they will help you choose the variety that suits your site and give quality recommendations for care.

Video "Features of growing a columnar apple"

In this video you will hear useful information about growing a columnar apple tree.

The columnar apple tree is a natural clone of the apple tree that lacks side branches. In British Columbia, in the village of Kelowna (located in Canada), on an old Macintosh apple tree, which was 50 years old, they found an unusual branch, or rather, it had an unusually large amount of foliage and fruits and completely lacked side branches. This happened in 1964. This spontaneous mutation did not go unnoticed by breeders and was multiplied. Over time, with the help of it, experts created columnar apple trees. At the same time, both English breeders of Kent County and specialists from other countries worked on this plant. In 1976, the first samples of this kind of apple were obtained.

Features of a columnar apple tree

Scientists have found that such unusual characteristics of the columnar apple tree directly depend on the special Co gene. In these plants, branches extend from the trunk at an acute angle, and they grow almost along the conductor. In this regard, such apple trees are outwardly similar to pyramidal poplars. Such an apple tree has a thickened trunk, on which many small branches grow, and flower buds are located on their tops. The skeletal branches of simple apple trees are much more powerful than the lateral branches of columnar apple trees. Often they are replaced by spears, fetuses or ringlets. The shoots of such a plant are quite thick, while shortened internodes are located on them. Dwarf varieties are less prone to branching compared to medium-sized (1.5-3 times) and tall (3-4 times). After the tree is 3-4 years old, its lateral branches stop growing. In the event that the apical bud is injured, the plant will stop growing, but the lateral branches will begin to actively grow. In this regard, those gardeners who want to grow a columnar apple tree must do everything to ensure that the growth point of the plant is preserved at least for the first 2 or 3 years. Such an apple tree will bloom and bear fruit at 2 or 3 years of age.The harvest in the first 5–6 years becomes more and more plentiful every year, but already from 7–8 years of plant life, it is observed consistently high, but this is only if the apple tree is properly cared for. The columnar apple tree bears fruit for no more than 15–20 years; after this period, most annelids die off. But if you grow strong or medium-sized varieties or a tree that has been grafted on seed stocks, then in these cases rejuvenating pruning can be used, which can significantly extend the life of the apple tree.

Apple trees such as columnar trees are ideal for small orchard owners. So, instead of one ordinary apple tree, you can plant several dozen columnar ones. There are 2 different types of columnar apple trees:

• varieties that have the Co gene;
• simple varieties that have been grafted onto super-dwarf clonal rootstocks (they are shaped like pillars).

Planting columnar apple trees

What time to plant

Experts advise planting this kind of apple tree in spring, but you need to have time to do this before the buds begin to open. If you wish, you can plant a seedling in open ground in the fall in the last days of September or the first in October, the main thing is that the weather is warm. For planting, it is recommended to purchase annual seedlings, not biennial ones. The fact is that such plants are relatively easy to take root and begin to grow and bear fruit much faster. When choosing a seedling, special attention should be paid to its roots, so there should be no rot on them. Trees with dry roots are also not worth purchasing. It is best to buy a seedling in a container; it can be planted even in the summer. A suitable area should be open and sunny, but remember that such an apple tree needs protection from strong gusts of wind. The soil needs a nutrient-rich and water-permeable soil. Groundwater at the site must lie at a depth of at least 200 centimeters.

Planting a columnar apple tree in the fall

In the event that you decide to plant a large number of columnar apple trees at once, then they should be arranged in rows. So, the distance between seedlings in a row should be at least 50 centimeters, while the row spacing should be 100 centimeters. Planting pits, which should have a size of at least 90x90x90 centimeters, must be prepared half a month before planting. If this is not done, then after planting and sedimentation of the soil, the root collar will be located underground, and this can lead to the death of the seedling.

In the process of digging a hole, it is necessary to discard the upper layer of soil, in which there is a greater amount of nutrients, separately from the lower layer, without allowing them to mix. In the event that the soil is heavy, then at the bottom of the hole it is imperative to place a layer of rubble mixed with sand for drainage. After that, 3 to 4 buckets of humus (compost), 100 grams of superphosphate and 50 to 100 grams of potassium fertilizer should be poured into the fertile soil and mixed. It is also recommended to add from 100 to 200 grams of dolomite flour to acidic soil. This soil must be poured into the landing hole and its surface must be leveled. After half a month, the soil will settle and compact.

After 2 weeks, you need to pour the remaining soil mixture into the planting hole with a slide. After that, it is necessary to install the root system of the apple tree directly on this "hill" so that the root collar of the seedling rises slightly above the surface of the site. After the roots are straightened, you need to pour infertile soil (from the lower layer) into the hole and tamp it well. Step back 30 centimeters from the trunk and form a roller around it, the height of which should be from 10 to 15 centimeters. The planted tree should be watered using 10–20 liters of water.After the liquid is absorbed into the soil, its surface must be sprinkled with a layer of mulch (sawdust, peat or crushed grass). If desired, you can install a support next to the seedling and tie it up.

How to plant a columnar apple tree in spring

In the event that the planting of columnar apple trees is planned for the spring, then it is recommended to prepare the planting holes in the autumn. During the winter, the soil will settle, compact, and the applied fertilizers will dissolve. Apple trees planted in such holes take root much faster, and in the same year they can even bloom. You need to plant a seedling in the spring in the same way as in the fall.

Caring for columnar apple trees

Springtime care

In the springtime, it is necessary to prune the apple trees and process them in order to prevent a variety of harmful insects and diseases. It is necessary to have time to carry out these procedures before the kidneys open. At the same time, fertilizers containing nitrogen must be added to the soil.

For apple trees planted this year, you need to pick off all the buds that form. In plants of the second year of life, only 10 buds are left. Starting from the third year of life, the load on the tree should not be increased immediately, but gradually, so that 2 times more buds are left on the plant than the fruits should ripen. So, on each fruit link, 2 inflorescences should remain, while thinning is done again in the summer.

Also, columnar apple trees must be watered in a timely manner and the top layer of soil in the trunk circle must be loosened. However, in the case when the tree is grown on a columnar stock, the roots of the plant can be injured in the process of loosening the soil. In this case, it is recommended to tin the trunk circle, and not sprinkle it with a layer of mulch. To do this, it is necessary to retreat a quarter of a meter from the trunk and sow siderat grasses in a circle, which will need systematic mowing.

Summer care

Until mid-June, you need to make a complex top dressing, for which mineral fertilizers are used. After the ovaries are formed, it will be necessary to thin them out a second time. As a result, ½ part of the ovaries should remain on the tree. After the fruits are similar in size to a cherry, it is necessary to make sure that there are only 2 ovaries in each inflorescence. When the apples are similar in size to a walnut, one of the two remaining ovaries must be removed. As a result, only 1 fruit should grow on 1 fruiting link.

In summer, do not forget to carry out preventive examinations of apple trees. If any harmful insects are found or the plant gets sick, then you just need to take timely measures to treat it or get rid of pests, otherwise you may be left without a crop. 4 weeks before the intended date of collection of fruits, all processing of the plant from harmful insects and diseases should be stopped.

With the onset of August, organic fertilizers cease to be applied to the soil, as well as those that contain nitrogen. At this time, it is recommended to apply only potash fertilizers to the soil, because they contribute to the faster ripening of young shoots. In order for the upper parts of the shoots not to suffer from frost in winter, it is necessary to shorten them by 2/3 of 4 leaves at the very top.

Autumn care

In the autumn, when the fruits are harvested, fertilizers must be applied to the soil and treated against harmful insects and fungi that have taken refuge in the bark, as well as inside the soil of the trunk circle. If necessary, pruning should be done for sanitary purposes, and then the trees should be prepared for wintering.

Columnar apple processing

At the beginning of the spring period (before the sap flow begins) and in the fall (when the leaves fall off), these apple trees must be processed in order to prevent diseases and harmful insects. The surface of the trunk circle should also be treated.Most often, gardeners in this case use a solution of Nitrafen or Bordeaux liquid (1%). This treatment will help get rid of harmful insects and pathogens of various diseases that are in the soil of the trunk circle and in the bark of the apple tree. There are those gardeners who use a urea solution (7%) for treatment in spring, which acts as a fungicidal and insecticidal agent, as well as nitrogen fertilizer.

Watering

Due to the fact that this kind of apple trees do not have a taproot that goes deep into the soil, and at the same time the root system is surfaces and is located within a quarter of a meter from the stem, then it is necessary to water young plants in summer in normal weather 1 time in 3 days ... In dry and hot weather, columnar apple trees should be watered every day or once every 2 days. Watering mature plants should be carried out 1 or 2 times in 7 days. From the second half of June, watering is slightly reduced, and from the beginning of August, these plants stop watering altogether, the fact is that they must have time to finish the formation of flower buds, as well as growth, and also prepare for wintering.

In order for the soil not to dry out too quickly and there is no dense crust on its surface, sprinkle the trunk circle with a layer of mulch (straw) or sow it with siderates. It is recommended to water such apple trees using a drip method, while the supply of moisture to the root system should be dosed. However, once every 4 weeks, it is necessary to make abundant watering so that the soil can get wet to the depth at which the roots lie. Once every 2 weeks in the evening after the sun goes down, it is necessary to thoroughly water the crowns of plants with a hose.

Fertilizer

Since a very large number of apples are formed on this tree, it absorbs a lot of nutrients from the soil. In this regard, such a plant should be fertilized throughout the entire period of intensive growth. In spring, organic fertilizers need to be applied to the soil. For this, both fermented chicken manure and slurry are used. In order for the tree to receive the required amount of nitrogen, you can spray it with a urea solution (7%), but this must be done at the beginning of the spring period, before the buds begin to open. After that, until the beginning of the second half of the summer period, if desired, the plants can be fed 2 more times by the foliar method and use the same urea solution (0.1%).

During the peak of intensive growth (from early to mid-June), trees need complex mineral fertilizers. From the beginning of August, organic fertilizers should no longer be used for fertilizing. During this period, columnar apple trees need potassium, since it contributes to the rapid maturation of the upper parts of the shoots.

Wintering of columnar apple trees

At the beginning of the autumn period, the stems of young columnar apple trees must be well covered with spruce branches or wood shavings. In this case, it should be remembered that only dry covering material should be used, and it must be protected from the penetration of rodents. Do not cover plants with straw. In the event that the trunk circle is mulched with straw, then it should be removed in the fall, because different rodents simply adore it. When the snow cover appears, it is necessary to huddle the base of the apple tree trunk with snow.

Pruning columnar apple trees

What time is the pruning

There should be no branches on a real columnar apple tree; therefore, it does not need pruning that forms the crown. Only the lateral branches are cut off at the very beginning of the summer period or after all the leaves have fallen off.

How to prune a columnar apple tree

One of the main principles of apple tree pruning should be remembered - the more branches you prune, the more intensive their growth will be. So, for example, you cut a branch by about ½ part, and at the same time there are 3 or 4 eyes on it.After some time, 3 or 4 strong shoots will grow from these eyes. In the event that you cut off 1/3 of the branch, and there are 7 or 8 eyes on it, then 7 or 8 medium shoots will grow of them. If the pruning is done correctly, then every year the growth of the apple tree will be equal to 10-15 centimeters, and 2 or 3 lateral buds will appear.

As you prune branches, remember not to touch the center conductor. Otherwise, having lost its point of growth, the tree will begin to actively grow branches.

At the beginning of the spring period, all side branches should be cut off from a tree in the first year of life so that only 2 buds remain on each of them. In the next 2 or 3 years, it is necessary to engage in the formation of fruit links from young shoots. Those lateral shoots that are not needed are recommended to be carefully trimmed while still green. The fact is that the healing of wounds on a lignified shoot takes relatively longer.

Spring pruning

Before the sap flow begins, formative pruning should be done. In plants of the first year of life, all lateral branches must be pruned, while 2 buds should remain on them. Sanitary pruning is also performed, during which diseased, crossed branches, as well as those affected by severe frosts in winter, are removed.

A tree in the second year of life is pruned to form fruit links. To do this, out of those 2 shoots that grew on a cut off last year's branch, you need to cut off the one that is more vertical, leaving only 2 buds on it. A horizontally located shoot will begin to bear fruit already in the current year, and 2 powerful shoots will appear from the cut off.

In the third year of life, those branches that bore fruit in the past year must be removed. With the remaining branches, the same pruning procedure should be carried out as in the past year. It should be remembered that the fruit link can function for no more than 3 or 4 years. After this period, it should be cut into a ring.

In the event of the death of the apical growth point, it is recommended to trim the guidewire, while only 2 buds should remain. Wait until lateral branches grow out of them. Only 1 of these branches should be left, and it should be located vertically. This branch will replace the conductor. The remaining side branches must be cut into a stump (not into a ring), while the stumps should be the same length as simple ringlets.

Autumn pruning

In the autumn, pruning should be carried out only when it is very necessary.

Reproduction of columnar apple trees

For the propagation of columnar apple trees, the method of grafting a varietal cuttings on the stock that is most suitable is used. However, in order to successfully carry out such a procedure, experience is required. It can be propagated by seeds, but it will take too long and take a lot of energy. And yet not all apple trees that have grown from seed are columnar. Experts advise propagating such a plant with air layers. Select a branch at the very beginning of spring, the thickness of which should be similar to a pencil. Then, at the base, an annular bark incision is made, the width of which should be 5 mm. After that, you need to moisten the cotton wool in Heteroauxin and wrap this incision for 24 hours. Further, to wrap the notch, moistened peat should be used, while this place is covered with a black polyethylene bag, it is fixed so that no air gets under it. Do not let the peat dry completely. In the autumn, roots should grow at the site of the incision. After that, the branch is separated from the parent plant and planted in the soil. The success rate of this breeding is 50:50.

Growing seedlings of this type of apple trees is not an easy task.In this regard, it is recommended to buy them in proven nurseries, while the seedlings must be transported correctly.

Pests of columnar apple trees

Columnar apple trees may well be home to green and plantain aphids, sawfly, glass pan, red mite, moth, moth, leafworm, honeydew, comma-shaped scabbard, currant, fruit and subcrustal leafworms, fruit and fruit moths, various scoops, mountain ash moth, unpaired, oak-leaved and ringed silkworms, blood and red-gall aphids, weevil goose, western unpaired bark beetle, sapwood, pear pipe-worm, as well as other pests. In the fight against harmful insects, you can use insecticidal agents, and trapping belts made of corrugated paper will also come in handy (they prevent pests from going up the trunk).

Diseases of columnar apple trees

Such apple trees suffer from absolutely the same diseases as simple ones. Most often, the columnar apple tree falls ill with diseases such as: proliferation, or witch's broom, bitter fruit rot, mosaic, mosaic ringing, fly-eater, powdery mildew, milky shine, tinder fungus, common cancer, scab, dying off of branches, fruit rot, subcutaneous viral spot rubbery, rust, vitreous fruit, flattened branches, black cancer and cytosporosis.

Main varieties with photos and descriptions

The division of varieties is carried out depending on their growth, namely, they are divided into vigorous, medium-sized (semi-dwarf), and also dwarf. And they are also divided by the time of ripening of fruits into late (winter), mid-ripening (autumn) and early (summer). Below are the varieties divided by ripening time.

Summer varieties

On these plants, ripe apples can be harvested from the last days of July, until the first days of September. Such fruits are eaten fresh or they are used for making preserves, jams, compotes, etc. The shelf life of such apples is relatively short.

The most popular varieties:

Nectar

This semi-dwarf variety has a high yield and resistance to frost, diseases and harmful insects. Yellowish-white apples have a fairly thick skin, juicy and grainy flesh with a distinct honey flavor. On average, each apple weighs 100-250 grams. Plant height can vary from 200 to 250 centimeters.

The president

This semi-dwarf compact variety is distinguished by its high yield and resistance to frost, harmful insects and diseases. The fruits are very fragrant, painted in a pale yellow or pale green color, in some cases a slight light pink blush is formed on them. On average, apples weigh between 150 and 200 grams. The fine-grained pulp is juicy and tender.

Vasyugan

Such a productive variety is resistant to frost, harmful insects and diseases. The shape of the red-striped, fragrant fruit is conical, the taste of the pulp is sour-sweet, while it has clearly distinguishable subcutaneous points. The cream-colored pulp is distinguished by its softness and juiciness. On average, the weight of the fruit is 140-200 grams.

Dialog

The medium-sized variety is distinguished by its yield and resistance to frost, pests and diseases. The deep yellow apples are not very large in size, but they are quite juicy. The apples are flat.

Ostankino

The medium-sized variety is resistant to harmful insects and diseases. Fragrant, sour-sweet fruits have a light green color with a blush, which has a fuzzy, spreading shape. Juicy apples can weigh from 100 to 220 grams.

Also quite popular among gardeners are such varieties as: Chervonets, Luch, Ideal, Raika, Flamingo, Gala, Cheremosh, Iksha, Green noise, etc.

Autumn varieties

Ripening of fruits on plants of such varieties occurs during the entire autumn period. They are eaten fresh or made from them various preparations for the winter.Such apples are stored for a relatively short time (maximum until January). Popular varieties:

Baby

This dwarf variety is one of those that have the highest taste. The truncated-conical shape of the dessert type apples are large. They are colored orange-yellow or deep yellow and weigh from 150 to 250 grams. The firm, glossy rind is rather thin, and the yellow, fragrant flesh is fine-grained. This variety is high-yielding and fast-growing.

Gin

The variety is distinguished by its yield and frost resistance. The rich red fruits can weigh 80-200 grams. The sour-sweet pulp is firm and juicy. Apples can be stored until January.

Triumph

Medium-sized variety. Apples are deep red in color and have a striped blush on their surface. The shiny rind is quite dense. Fine-grained snow-white crispy pulp. It has a sweet dessert taste with a slight sourness. On average, apples weigh 100–150 grams.

Arbat

The variety is distinguished by its high yield and resistance to frost, harmful insects and diseases. The fruits ripen in the last days of September or the first in November. Saturated cherry color medium-sized glossy apples have a sour-sweet juicy pulp. Average weight of fruits is from 100 to 120 grams.

Iezen

Such a vigorous variety is scab resistant and winter hardy. There are red streaks on the surface of yellow apples. The average fruit weight is 150 grams. The fine-grained dense yellowish-green flesh has a sour-sweet taste. The taste is high.

Also quite popular are such varieties as: Kumir, Ladoga, Titania, Teleimon, Melba, etc.

Winter varieties

Ripening of these varieties of apples occurs from the middle of the autumn period. They can persist until spring. Such varieties are popular:

Amber necklace (amber)

The medium-sized variety is distinguished by its yield and frost resistance. Large greenish-yellow apples have a blush. Fine-grained fragrant pulp is juicy and sour-sweet.

Currency

A medium-sized, early-growing variety with a high yield, frost and scab resistance. Fruits are large (weight about 200 grams) have a deep yellow color with a red barrel. The snow-white sweet juicy pulp is quite fragrant.

Moscow necklace

Such a self-fertile variety has a high yield and resistance to frost, harmful insects and diseases. The fruits are rather large and dark red. The rind is firm. The sweet, juicy pulp has a slight sourness. On average, apples weigh about 170 grams.

Bolero

The fruits are large and their average weight is about 200 grams. The firm white flesh is juicy.

Yesenia

It is highly resistant to frost and scab. On the surface of large apples (average weight 170 grams) there is a bluish bloom of wax.

Also quite popular are such varieties as: Constellation, Snow White, Senator, Trident, Victoria, Barguzin, Garland, White Eagle, Sparkle, Peasant, etc.

Varieties of columnar apple trees for the Moscow region

In the Moscow region, apple trees of such varieties as Moscow necklace, Vasyugan, Currency and Malyukha will feel best.

Columnar apple varieties for Siberia

Here varieties that can withstand severe frosts (up to minus 40 degrees) are suitable. These include Iksha, Barguzin, Peasant and President. At the same time, the Vasyugan variety can withstand frosts down to minus 42 degrees. They are suitable for cultivation in the Urals, Siberia, the Far East and the Moscow region.

Mature fruit trees occupy a significant area in the garden, so the desire to plant a large number of varieties is often limited by a lack of free space. What should a gardener do in this case? The breeders have taken care of breeding apple varieties that do not grow in width. Their compact crown is formed around the trunk, and the variety of bred varieties allows you to form a full-fledged apple orchard in a small area.

It is a pleasure to look at the photo of an apple orchard made of slender columnar apple trees. Growing fruit trees in the open field, planting apple trees correctly, caring for the garden: all the subtleties in one article.

Breeding varieties of columnar apple trees - a choice for every taste

First you need to understand the advantages of columnar apple trees over traditional, tall varieties. The main advantages and characteristics of columnar varieties are:

By planting columnar apple trees, even from the smallest area, you will get a huge harvest

1. A high degree of fertility - the crop will appear already in the second year after planting the seedlings.
2. The compact size of the tree allows you to set up a garden in a small free area.
3. The traditional taste of ripe fruits is no different from ordinary varieties, and the yield from one tree is even higher.
4. Convenience when caring for the crown of a tree - low columnar apple trees are easier to handle from pests. Harvesting from a compact tree is not a hassle for the gardener: there is no need to use special devices for harvesting apples and high stairs.

   Bonsai are very easy to care for

5. Decorative view of compact trees - the attached photos show how beautiful the garden of columnar apple trees is.

Which varieties to give preference

When choosing seedlings of columnar apple trees, it should be remembered that there are two types of compact trees:

1. Apple varieties with the Co gene, grafted onto dwarf rootstocks (003, Currency, Arbat).

   Arbat variety

2. Varieties with an artificially formed columnar shape (Ostankino, Orlinka, Ligol, Vasyugan, Medok, President).

   Vasyugan variety

Breeding work on breeding apple trees with a compact crown, which was carried out by scientists with the Macintosh variety, was crowned with success. The first dwarf columnar variety "VAZHAK" (Wijeik) was bred in 1964. Further selection based on this variety made it possible to obtain all modern varieties of columnar apple trees.

Choosing a place and planting columnar varieties of apple trees

The arrangement of trees when planting depends on the layout of the existing garden and the plans of the gardener himself. If a single planting of several trees of columnar varieties is supposed in the area of ​​the growing garden, then seedlings can be planted in any free place. In this case, you need to make sure that neighboring trees do not shade undersized columnar varieties.

You can plant a columnar apple tree even on the smallest piece of land

When planting a large number of dwarf trees, it is useful to adhere to the recommended planting scheme:

1. Trees are planted in rows.
2. The distance between the rows is 1 meter.
3. The distance between trees in a row is at least 0.5 meters.

For planting trees, you should choose a place protected from flooding. With a high level of groundwater, it is necessary to arrange reliable drainage at the bottom of the planting holes. For the drainage layer, pebbles or gravel are suitable, as well as coarse quartz sand, which is stacked in layers with gravel.

It is important that the soil is well drained.

When choosing planting material, preference should be given to annual seedlings. Young trees take root more easily in a new place. Their root system does not have long taproots, which are injured when mature trees are dug up in preparation for sale. The survival rate of annual seedlings is much higher than that of older apple trees.

In the place of the proposed garden, it is worth marking the centers of the planting pits with pegs. The finished pit has a square shape, all sides are approximately 0.9 m.

Important! Pits for planting columnar apple trees can be larger or smaller than the standard size. It depends on the root system of the individual seedling. Trees should not be planted in tight pits where the roots of the tree cannot be spread freely.

The mainland soil removed when digging holes should be mixed with compost or filled with organic fertilizers at the rate of 4 kg per 1 seedling.It is recommended to add 100 g of potash and phosphorus fertilizers to each pit, which should be thoroughly mixed with the soil.

The process of planting a columnar apple tree

The seedling is installed in the pit strictly vertically, carefully filling the pit with soil, squeezing it from all sides at the stem.

Important! When planting, do not deepen the root collar. When the grafting site is deepened, the roots of the rootstock begin to develop. Instead of a short, compact apple tree, there is a threat to get a tall, classic-shaped apple tree. After planting, the young tree is watered abundantly.

Caring for young seedlings is a guarantee of a future rich harvest

Caring for a columnar apple tree is reduced to the correct pruning of the crown, rationing of the harvest and timely agrotechnical measures.

When pruning the crown, which is carried out in the spring, one should not be afraid to cut off the excess, the main thing is not to cut out the central trunk. Lateral shoots, shortened by 2/3 of their length, quickly grow back, forming strong skeletal branches.

Blooming columnar apple tree

Young apple tree seedlings can harvest as early as the second year. Fragile twigs will not support the weight of heavy fruits, so you should pluck out most of the ovaries, leaving 3-4 pieces for 1 tree. Gradually, the number of fruits on the tree increases.

Important! Plucking is carried out carefully, trying not to damage the young leaves. Buds are left on the branches in 2 times more than it is planned to receive fruits.

When the ovaries reach the size of a nut, one of the two is removed to make one apple.

Some of the ovaries from young trees must be removed.

Another important agrotechnical technique that must be used when growing columnar apple trees is the tinning of the trunk circle. The fact is that the root system of apple trees of this species does not have tap roots. Weak superficial roots are very delicate and fragile. Grasses or cereals planted in near-trunk circles will help preserve soil moisture and protect the apple tree root system from mechanical damage. Alternatively, mulching the soil surface can be used.

Watering the plantings is carried out at least once every 3 days, while drip irrigation of the crown of the tree must be arranged.

Top dressing of dwarf apple trees

It was said above about fertilizing when planting seedlings. During the season, it is useful to feed the plants with urea at least 3 times: after the leaves bloom, top dressing is carried out for the first time. After about 2 weeks, fertilizer is applied again, and after another 2 weeks, fertilizing is repeated.

Apple trees are fed three times per season

Reproduction of columnar apple trees

Promising varieties of columnar apple trees, which pleased with a rich harvest of large, fragrant fruits, can be bred in several ways:

1. Graft - a varietal cutting is grafted onto a suitable stock. The grafting method is only suitable for gardeners who own this technique.
2. By cuttings (or rooting cuttings), valuable varieties can also be propagated. For rooting, it is necessary to use root formation stimulants.

   The optimal breeding method for columnar apple trees is cuttings

3. Seed method the longest and most painstaking. Sown apple seeds can only become a full-fledged tree after 5 long years. But not all seedlings will turn out to be dwarf columnar apple trees. Splitting of traits (usually 50/50) can lead to obtaining classic, tall trees from part of the seedlings.

Diseases and pests of dwarf apple trees

For miniature trees, the fight against the same pests is relevant as for tall apple trees. The trees are often attacked by the Schlechtendahl tick. This microscopic pest is able to weaken young trees, which, after infection, gradually lose their foliage, wither and stagnate. You should fight the tick with the use of special chemicals.

Schlechtendahl's tick

In addition to ticks, apple trees are harmed by moths, scab, and aphids. The defeat of plants with spots and moniliosis requires the use of antifungal drugs.The earlier pests are noticed and timely treatment is started, the less the apple orchard will suffer.

Growing a columnar apple tree: video

Apple tree columnar: photo

Nowadays, it is much easier to plan a garden or planting individual trees. Another time I myself envy novice gardeners and farmers.

And the thought creeps in that if I were now starting to deal with my site, then did a lot differently... That is why I share my experience. Including their own. Maybe others won't repeat mistakes.

Many people know results of observations of gardeners and specialists:

• 10% of the actions of an ordinary summer resident are beneficial,
• 30% are harmful.
• And more than half - 60% - are aimed at eliminating these thirty.

Maybe you will still be able to reduce this thirty!

Separate topic - arrangement of the territory of private houses. There are good opportunities to choose different plants. Much depends on imagination and possibilities. As in the famous joke.

Additional features provided columnar apple trees, every year

gaining popularity. But rather carefully.

All of this is related to both the novelty and the traditional presentation of the garden.

So columnar apple tree ... Its appearance is not associated with the breeding of varieties. Nature itself has taken care. Although how to say ...

In the seventies, or rather in 1964 year in distant Canada, an unusual branch was discovered on a perennial tree of the Macintosh variety.

She caught the gardener's attention:

• Many applesplaced very tightly next to each other.
• And there were no other strong branches on it.
• There was also something else unusual.
• And the human factor and an amazing desire to search and create something new came on.

This is how the first variety of columnar apple appeared. Vazhak... The name is said to be related to the gardener's name. Not all.

And she did not immediately acquire the form of the present.

The location of the columnar apple trees on the site.

Important!There are more than 100 registered varieties in the collection of columnar apple varieties. With new qualities and characteristics.

The search for the best does not stop:

• Almost twenty years ago, I myself acquired three seedlings of columnar apple trees. For fun. All the information received during the purchase was one thing - do not run around with a pruner around it and take care of the apical kidneyat.
• Today we are already arguing and talking about the advantages and disadvantages of columnar apple trees.

Columnar apple trees in the garden.

• Not significant sizes even mature trees turned out to be a welcome find:
• For many who want to have many varieties of apples, but do not have the necessary area for this. There is significant difference in footprint varieties White filling even on a semi-dwarf (up to 4m in diameter) and Vasyugan (only 50 cm).
• Beautiful view of apple trees - a wide field of activity for designers. What is especially appreciated by the owners of respectable plots. Not 6 and 15 acres.
• You won't have to wait long for the first apples... Already in the second year you can try. And from 4-6 years of age, full fruiting. Do not be confused by the annual yield of 5 to 16 kg. It has already been calculated that the productivity of columnar apple trees is higher than that of ordinary ones.
• There are many more conveniences for caring for an adult apple tree:
  • In shaping and pruning.
  • For treatment against pests and diseases.
  • Harvesting.
  • For watering and fertilizing.

About all this to you the staff of the cattery will definitely tell youwhere you will buy the seedlings.

They will not always tell you about disadvantages. And they are:

• Such an apple tree bears fruit stably every year until the age of 14-16. Think about them you will have to replace it in 10-12 years.
• To plant even a dozen columnar apple trees, you will have to pay 10-15 times more.
• Care is more convenient, but permanent. Special requirements for watering and feeding.

Important!There are people who do not consider this a disadvantage. Just a nuance.

Before moving on to the landing conversation.

Even such small forms are distributed on three groups:

• Dwarf - height up to 2 m.
• Semi-dwarf - up to 3 m.
• Tall - above 3 m.

General landing rules

Everything starts with site selection, places for planting columnar apple trees.

What does an apple tree need:

Attention!Trample down gently so as not to damage the roots.

Carrying out pre-boarding activities

Conditions

If you have where to plant, what to plant and who to plant, you can proceed to this responsible event.

The peculiarities of your place of residence should tell you both the varieties and places where the columnar apple tree will be planted. Maybe this is problematic for growing such apple trees.

Don't forget about possibilities of planting in the greenhouse... The size of these apple trees allows you to have a mini-garden in the greenhouse. planting a columnar apple tree

Timing when to plant columnar apple trees

Plant a columnar apple tree when favorable weather conditions.

They are:

• Like in the spring. It is she who is preferred by experts:
  • Before bud break (see your region).
  • But the soil is already warmed up... And this is the second half of April.
• How to plant columnar apple trees in the fall:
  • When foliage falls.
  • With the expectation that the apple tree will get used to it and take root.
  • Columnar apple trees are planted in autumn 25-30 days before the onset of frost.

Sapling storage

Columnar apple trees. Planting and leaving.

Don't let the roots dry out... Better to dig in for a while and water. If brought with a closed root system, water in 2-3 days.

Prepare wet sawdust and place the seedlings in them. Moisturize periodically.

Landing plan

This must be done in accordance with the recommendations of experts and advice from gardeners. Consider the peculiarities of the variety and rootstocks on which the seedlings are grafted.

AND implement your ideas and wishes.

Determination of a favorable place

It is advised to protect the site from strong winds and drafts. But under the sun. Not in the shade.

I think you have met such advice. On your site this is possible when planting near buildings, fences.

And try it for a farmer's industrial garden?

Pit preparation

You can prepare for planting:

• Trenches for several trees on the site or many seedlings when laying a garden. Its dimensions: width and depth of 45-50 cm.
• Landing pits for a small number of seedlings or separately located planting sites.
• Prepare them in advance at least 15-20 days before landing. And better for a month and a half.
• Their size must match the root system of the seedlings. As a rule, it is 80-90 cm deep, and at least 1 m in diameter.

Advice! In the pits, add mineral and organic

fertilizers

: ash, potassium, superphosphate, humus, peat.

Root processing

Before boarding place in a container with warm water.

Planting a columnar apple tree. add growth stimulants... Hours at 12-15. Prepare a "chatterbox" out of clay. Immediately before planting, dip the roots into it.

Peculiarities

Depth

The planting hole is dug up to a meter deep... In order to cover most of it with fertile soil with humus, compost.

BUT real depth of placement of seedlingsand indicate the size of the root system. And finding the site of inoculation and the root collar.

Is it possible to plant a columnar apple tree alone?

Grade only Moscow necklace... And the rest - at least two. Better more apple trees.

Group landing

When planting a large number of seedlings, place the apple trees according to the ripening period and the scheme for planting columnar apple trees must be observed:

• Summer group.
• Autumn group.
• A group of late.
• This is for ease of maintenance.

Planting together with other trees is possible, just remember that it is undesirable to plant them alone.

Important!But I have a columnar apple tree growing next to Melba and Idared. One, and for ten years now it has been making us happy with excellent apples. And in large numbers.

At what distance to plant columnar apple trees from each other, determine, taking into account the territory you have, the varieties of seedlings planted and rootstocks on which the seedlings are grafted.

But don't get carried away with compaction. At least 40 cm between them... And at least one meter between the rows. Remember that apple trees need sunshine.

Small size of columnar apple trees.

Organic farming principle

Remember basic principles of organic farming:

• Do not dig up the earth.
• Mulching plantings.
• Do not use chemical preparations, or only minimally.
• The use of biological products and green manure.

Therefore, it is more correct to talk about the application of the principles of organic farming when leaving for apple trees. But not landing. For trees with clonal rootstocks that have a shallow root system, this is relevant.

Here and apply:

• Not that digging, even loosening the soil can damage the roots.
• Equip rows of columnar apple trees.

Mulching apple trees with straw.

• Conduct tinning. Sow green manure. Mow and mulch tree trunks.
• Mulch with chopped wood, sawdust, straw, hay, grass cuttings.

Well mulching.

Remember! In the layers of mulch, all kinds of rodents feel good in winter. And they recommend removing summer mulch. But how, then, to insulate for the winter?

Landing features

How to properly plant a columnar apple tree in clay soil

You will have to dig the planting hole deeper - even up to one and a half meters.

Make a drainage pillow from rubble, broken brick, sand. Both plastic bottles and cans are used. It is important that there is no stagnant water in the pit..

Into sandy soil

Fill the prepared pits with clay, silt and create a waterproofing effect.

With a high level of groundwater

• The depth of groundwater should not be less than 2 m.
• But we do not always choose sites.
• More often we are faced with the fact of their presence. And no one gives up from despair.
• I will only list some of the methods:
  • Plant on fill mounds, embankments and ridges.
  • Equip site drainage systems.
  • Plant apple trees on a dwarf rootstock.
  • Land on metal sheets, flat slate.

At the site of vaccination

Pay attention to the root collar and the grafting site; they should be 4-6 cm above ground level. Even after the soil has settled.

Planting apple trees.

Vaccinated south

One can only suggest finding a good compass. AND find grafting sites on a seedling.

Seasonal differences

Spring

Neither spring nor autumn determines the planting pattern. But for planting in the spring, prepare the pits in the fall.

Landing scheme

• This is how it was conceived. But 40-50 cm between seedlings. And the rows are no closer than 100 cm. And this will be the scheme.
• Landing possible  order.
• As well as  trees.

And on the Internet they offer "Densely" - 100 cm and 100-250 cm.

And "sparsely" at 100 cm? You are unlikely to agree with this.

Advice!Choose for yourself depending on the variety and their rootstocks. And the territory you have. Try to provide the trees with good sunlight.

Fertilization

Pour into the planting hole:

• Ash - 400-450 grams.
• Potassium - 70-80 grams.
• Superphosphate - 80-100 grams.
• Organic fertilizers and compost - 3-5 kg.

And consider:

• In the first year, everything is in the pit.
• Further:
• From spring with nitrogen fertilizers.
• When setting fruits - complex fertilizers.
• In autumn - potassium (ash).

Watering frequency depends on weather conditions... Of course, from the rains. And this applies not only to spring:

• Columnar apple roots quickly pick up moisture. And they demand more.
• Water every 3-4 days and be sure to mulch. And every 2-3 weeks, abundant watering
• Equip drip irrigation and stop asking how often to water.

Autumn

Second half of September until the second half of October. Later, it is better to dig the seedling in a suitable place until spring. And shelter for the winter.

Scheme

Do not differ from spring ones:

• Inline.
• Chess.
• Single landings.
• Plain, condensed or thinned.

Fertilizers applied

For an autumn planting, it is enough that you do not do this until spring. Including watering.

Pruning

Pruning columnar apple trees.

Do you need pruning at all?

• Apply formative and sanitary pruning.
• Personally, I met the purchase requirements by 50%.
• The apical kidney could not be saved.
• I did not run with a pruner.
• What happened:
• The apple tree grows and bears fruit powerfully. But not a column. And the bowl. Or a cone. As you like. I'm not upset.

How to trim when planting:

• No way! This is if it is an annual seedling. He has nothing to cut.
• Only in the second year will you begin to form a column: cut young shoots into 2 buds.

Terms in the regions

Harvesting apples "Currency" in the country.

In the suburbs, in central Russia and the Leningrad region the timing of planting columnar apple trees occurs in the spring in the second half of April. A little earlier than in the Urals and Siberia... Meteorological conditions may change these terms a little. Planting methods are the same. And the approach. Once the soil is ready.

In autumn in the Urals and Siberia this will have to be done a little earlier. Late September and early October. Although these terms are also suitable for central Russia (which includes the Moscow region and part of the Leningrad region). Your task is to give the seedlings planted in autumn the opportunity to take root before frost.

Nuances and questions from readers

Is it possible to plant columnar apple trees of different varieties next to each other?

Columnar apple trees are planted side by side not only of different varieties, but also of different ripening periods.

Conclusion and tips

I read the phrase “Learning is learning the rules. And experience is the study of exceptions. " Thoughtful. And that's the way it is.

Whatever the complexity of the procedure for planting columnar apple trees, you cannot grow a tree without it. So there won't be apples either.

So we will land. And not only individual columnar apple trees, but entire gardens. And we will do it right.

And then our eyes will be delighted with the beautiful forms of columnar apple trees with apples.

Useful video

Watch the video how a columnar apple tree is grown:

Watch the video how the pit is prepared and the seedling is planted:

See gardeners' reviews about columnar apple trees:

Watch the video for a review about columnar apple trees: