If you have little space in the garden or even only a balcony, you still don't have to do without fruit that you have harvested yourself: A columnar apple tree can be found almost anywhere due to its extremely narrow growth. But be careful: Not everything that is sold under the name "Pillar Apple" is actually one. Real columnar trees naturally grow narrow and do not develop a crown, and they also produce their fruit directly on the trunk. In order to be able to harvest as many apples as possible, make sure that the conditions are optimal when planting.

The columnar apple loves sunny locations

Which location does the columnar apple prefer?

Like all fruit trees, columnar apples also need a sunny to partially shaded location. If it is too dark, the flowering and thus the development of the fruit may not occur.

Which soil / which substrate is optimal for the columnar apple?

Outdoors, loose, nutrient-rich and slightly acidic to neutral soil is perfect. Very loamy and compacted soils should be improved and loosened. A loose, nutrient-rich substrate is recommended for potted plants, which you can mix with clay pebbles (€22.65) or expanded clay (€19.73).

When is the best time to plant?

It is best to plant the columnar apple tree in early spring.

How is a columnar apple planted correctly?

Dig a sufficiently deep and wide planting hole, about twice the size of the plant's root ball. Mix the excavation with plenty of compost and a good handful of horn shavings.(32.93€) Support the newly planted tree with a support stake, which you use at the same time as the sapling - do not hammer in afterwards, this will damage the roots! Finally, it is watered vigorously. A pruning is usually not necessary.

What planting distance should be maintained?

If several columnar apple trees are to be planted as privacy screens, a distance of about 60 to 80 centimeters is ideal. Otherwise, the ideal distance depends on how much the neighboring plant spreads - the apple tree itself remains narrow and crownless.

When does the columnar apple bloom?

Like all apple trees, columnar apples bloom in spring, usually between April and May.

When can I harvest fresh apples?

When you can harvest the first fruits depends on the specific variety: Here, too, early, mid-early and late varieties are distinguished from each other. Harvest time is usually between August and September.

Can you multiply the columnar apple yourself?

As with all cultivated fruit varieties, varietal propagation is only possible via vegetative forms of propagation or grafting. In the case of columnar apples, the latter is done by grafting the top, whereby the “crown” of the columnar apple is grafted onto an apple seedling underneath. Choose a slow-growing variety, otherwise the tree will quickly outgrow you.

tips

Columnar apples are very suitable for a bucket culture, whereby you should choose a planter that is as wide as possible for the flat-rooted plant.

Category:

Trees