Large fruit trees do not belong in small gardens or even in a bucket on the balcony. Their spreading crowns would shade a large part of the garden and their spreading roots would severely limit garden use. Instead, you should prefer varieties that remain small and short-stemmed growth forms.
Fruit trees can be trained to remain small
Refine fruit trees on weak rootstocks
In order for fruit trees to be grown according to type and to bear fruit as quickly as possible, they are usually planted on special rootstocks, i. H. the rootstock of another species or variety. Trees that should remain rather small are grafted onto special underlays with the designations M9 or M27. These were specially developed for apples at the English East Malling Research Station. M9 reaches heights of up to 2.50 meters, the weaker one remains significantly smaller. Pears that remain small, on the other hand, are grafted onto type A or C quinces.
Growth forms suitable for small gardens
But not only the finishing, but also the growth form has a great influence on the space requirements of a fruit tree. For small gardens in particular, you should prefer a bush or a short-stemmed tree.
half stem
A half trunk is about 1.20 meters high, to which you must of course add the crown. This growth habit is therefore still suitable for small gardens, provided it is not a fast-growing noble variety. The sprawling 'Gravensteiner', the 'Schöner von Bath' that forms a huge crown or the very vigorous 'Boskoop' are not suitable, while the 'Augustapfel' is unsuitable. the 'Ananasrenette' or the 'Schwarze Edelapfel' are more suitable because of their naturally weaker growth.
bush
A fruit tree bush should not be confused with a classic berry bush, in which several shoots usually grow out of the ground. Instead, it is a small tree with a trunk height between 40 and 80 centimeters.
spindle bush
In contrast to other growth forms, spindle bushes have no leading branches. Instead, they are only made up of the trunk and the fruiting branches that emanate from it. They are usually slow-growing and tend to stay small.
pillar
This is a genetically determined growth form in which almost no side shoots are formed and the fruits grow on the trunk. Column or rod trees are perfect for small gardens as well as for keeping in tubs.
tips
A trellis is also often suitable for a small garden or for keeping in tubs, although such trees are often not weak-growing. But raised as a wall trellis, they not only green bare house walls, but also take up little space.