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Every year more and more summer residents and gardeners delight themselves with columnar apple trees. These trees can be planted even in a small area and get a harvest that is no worse than the harvest of an ordinary apple tree. It is much more convenient to collect the poured fruits, since they are all literally in front of the nose, due to the low growth of trees and the almost complete absence of branches. Apple trees are planted both for a tasty harvest and just to decorate the site. Some varieties, during flowering and ripening, are able to catch the eye for a long time, thanks to sweet aromas and bright, interesting flowers.
The difference between columnar apple trees and ordinary ones:
- The tree takes up very little space. The shape resembles a column, which is sprinkled with incredibly beautiful flowers in the spring, and ripe, multi-colored apples during ripening.
- Almost all apple trees of this species do not have lateral branches (in rare cases, very short branches that grow from the trunk at a right angle), and bare trunk is very rare.
- Apple trees are distinguished by their productivity and early maturity. They begin to bear fruit much earlier than ordinary apple trees and, accordingly, quickly gain the full strength of the harvest.
Columnar apple tree
Columnar apple trees also differ from each other at certain points. It all depends directly on the varieties from which they were derived. Some apple trees will delight with their flowering in early spring, others in summer. Some ripen in a matter of weeks, while others need much more time for this. In addition, new varieties are being developed that have a high immunity to parasites, diseases, fungi, and even resistance to both high and low temperatures.
Features of planting, growing and care
The sequence of actions when planting a tree in the soil is as follows:
- Determine the place in the garden where the apple tree will grow in the future. Choose a plot based on the preferences of the variety that was purchased. It is necessary to take into account all the nuances: the tree loves the sun or shade, wet or dry soil, with which plants the most favorable neighborhood, etc.
- After choosing a place for the apple tree, you need to prepare a hole: about 60 cm deep and 60 cm wide. Pour humus, ash and fertile soil into the pit, mix, water.
- Next to the hole, you need to drive in a wooden peg, which will be a support for a small apple tree in the process of its growth.
- Before planting, you need to inspect the roots - it is advisable to cut them for better growth in a new place (sometimes sellers cut them before selling). Be sure to flatten them before planting.
- Immerse the seedling in the hole: from its top to the beginning of the root should be about 10 cm, and the same amount from the ground before grafting. Cover everything with earth, fix the trunk with a coupler or cloth, tying it to a previously driven stick, water abundantly.
- Check the fixation of the apple tree, sprinkle the watered earth - done!
Now all that remains is to comply with the care requirements and wait for juicy fruits.
Planting an apple tree
The best varieties of columnar apple trees
Crimson necklace
A decorative apple tree that reaches a maximum of 1.5 meters in height. Apple tree Raspberry necklace has no branches and no bare trunk. Resistant to any weather conditions and parasites, not picky, has an average flowering period (buds bloom in mid-spring), bears fruit very abundantly from the second half of summer.
The inflorescences are lilac-red in color, have a pleasant, sweet smell. Fruit weight is about 30 g, with a slight waxy coating and rich taste. May be reddish-crimson shades.
Apple tree Raspberry necklace
Favorite
Late autumn variety, reaches 4 meters in height. Resistant to hot and cold weather, parasites and fungi. Fruits can decrease in size when the tree is productive.
Flowers of white-pink tint, medium size. Begins to bear fruit in mid-September. The fruits are large, can reach 300 grams. Usually apples of this variety are greenish-yellow, maybe with red streaks. They are distinguished by dessert taste and long shelf life.
Apple-tree Favorite
Garnet bracelet
Decorative, light-loving variety of apple trees.
The maximum height reaches 1.8 meters. Lateral branches of the apple tree Pomegranate columnar bracelet may be present in very small quantities. No trunk exposure. Apple tree The pomegranate bracelet blooms with many beautiful, tasty smelling, light purple flowers in May.
Bears abundantly with bright purple fruits. Apples of this variety are small, 30-40 g, well suited for baking. In pure form, they are not very tasty - sourish.
Taskan
Early winter variety of apple trees up to 2 meters high, medium-sized. The crown consists of a large number of short branches on which fruits will appear.
The Tascan columnar apple tree has excellent immunity to parasites and fungal diseases. Differs in drought resistance and high productivity.
The flowers are delicate, pinkish-white, with a slight aroma. Fruits are medium in size, about 160 g, usually greenish-yellow in color. Ripen in September. The apples are one-dimensional and taste good. They have a pronounced aroma.
Apple tree Taskan
Cheburashka
Summer variety, fruits ripen in early August. The tree is medium-sized, sun-loving, moderately resistant to scab and insects.
During flowering, it pleases the eye with medium-sized white flowers. The fruits are white-green in color, have a sweet and sour taste, and are juicy. Apples weigh about 180 g. Very prolific variety.
Alluring aroma
An ornamental plant, it has a very beautiful flowering in purple tones. The apples are bright crimson. The tree has no branches, as well as no bare trunk.
The apple tree grows up to 2 meters in height. Unpretentious to the ground, has immunity to cold and various diseases. Flowering is accompanied by a honey smell.
The fruits are slightly elongated, small, up to 50 g. The taste of apples is sweet and sour, with hints of nutmeg, they have an unusual candy smell. They are used raw and for desserts.
Apple tree Alluring aroma
Snow White
Small-sized variety, early maturing, grows up to 2.5 meters. Medium late, has small branches, shows high frost resistance and medium resistance to parasites and fungi.
The flowers of the Snow White apple tree are unremarkable, white. The fruits reach maturity at the end of September and acquire a transparent, yellow color, like that of White Bulk. Sometimes a slight, rosy blush may appear. The fruits are great for eating raw, very juicy. The apples ripen together, which is very convenient. On average, they reach a mass of about 130 grams, round in shape.
Gothic
This variety definitely needs support and moderate watering. Hardy, sun-loving, immune to scab and parasites. Height reaches 3 meters, fruits - 250 grams.
The apple tree is winter, blooms in May in white with a pink tint.The apples are round, shiny, with a beautiful red blush. The taste is sweet and sour, juicy, with a thin skin. Very fast growing variety.
Apple tree Gothic
Pink fairy tale
Vigorous, decorative apple tree, up to 1.8 meters high. Flowering period is average. Sometimes lateral branches can form, there are no exposures.
The variety bears fruit very well with small dull red apples weighing 40 g each. The taste is sweet, a slight sourness is felt. During the flowering period, the columnar apple tree of the Pink Fairy Tale variety is covered with large, fragrant flowers of lilac shades. Flowering time is mid-May.
Arrow
A medium-sized variety with branches extending at right angles from the trunk. High resistance to low temperatures, scab, drought and heat. Reaches approximately 1.7 meters.
Good yield, fruits reach maturity in September. Prefers moist, fertile and breathable soils, loves the sun's rays. Fruits reach a weight of 165 g, greenish or greenish-yellow, juicy.
Ray
Fast-growing variety, autumn. Ripens in mid-September. High yield, immunity to frost, pests, fungal diseases.
It grows up to two meters, the fruits reach 250 grams. The apples are green, juicy, sweet, with a honey flavor. High productivity. Delicious baked goods, desserts and apple jam are made from the fruits.
Apple Beam
Arkaim
Winter variety, short growing season. Resistant to frost, winter desiccation, parasites.
Arkaim apple trees have fruits weighing about 185 g, they are round, regular in shape. The tree grows about 2 meters, the apples are purple-crimson, with greenish gaps. They taste sweet and sour, with hints of spice.
Bolero
Obelisk
Differs in early maturity, compactness, annual fruiting, high decorative effect.
Grows up to 2.5 meters in height if trees are planted in moist soil. They are frost-resistant, with proper care and regular watering, they have a high immunity to pests and diseases. The fruits are quite large, about 200 g, with a pleasant, reddish-yellow color and a delicate smell.
Blynsky's memory
A variety that bears fruit in late autumn. The apples are conical in shape and weigh 140 grams. Trees have strong scab immunity, good strength and flexibility. Easily withstands the largest yields of reddish-green apples. Frost-resistant variety.
Orlovskaya
Deservedly considered an elite variety. Of the advantages - an excellent presentation of the fruit, high early maturity of the tree.
The crown is rounded, the branches grow to the sides almost at right angles, rounded up at the ends. The flowers are large, saucer-shaped, white-pink in color. Fruit weight - 150 g, striped color, red-green shades.
Apple Orlovskaya
Trident
Early winter ripening period. Fruits are greenish-yellow in color, weighing 140 g. Immunity to scab, powdery mildew. High resistance to frost. A tree grows up to 2.5 meters.
Mascot
The main advantages of the variety are scab, frost resistance, high yield, early maturity, good transportability.
The apple tree must be thinned from the fruits, since with a plentiful harvest, they will decrease.
Ripening period - mid-September. The apples are greenish-red, sweet and sour.
Apple Tree Talisman
Elite
A winter variety, resistant to diseases and pests. For a good harvest, you need careful care, watering, fertilization with minerals.
Differs in very tasty fruits. Dessert taste, apple weight from 100 to 200 g.It has an interesting greenish-yellow color, the skin is shiny.
Sparkle
A winter-hardy variety of apples. Differs in high productivity, thick and strong shoots, compactness.
Fruits are green, large, weighing about 180 g. The pulp is juicy, tasty and crispy.
Titania
The variety is resistant to scab, powdery mildew and other diseases.
Possesses wonderful red fruits, with a sweet, wine taste. Apples weigh about 110 g. The pulp is juicy, dense and crispy. Suitable for conservation.
Rennet
A very demanding variety. For good growth and fertility, plant in fertile, moist, drained soils, but always far from groundwater. Before the onset of cold weather, you need to cover the lower part of the trunk of the plant and branches, in the spring you must definitely feed it. Ranet should be planted in open areas where there is direct exposure to sunlight.
The best tips from experienced gardeners
For protection against frost and rodents, the best solution would be:
- dig in a columnar tree trunk;
- cover with sawdust, shavings;
- wrap with available insulation;
- in the presence of snow - spud them and trample.
In order to protect the apple tree in the winter, you need to use potash fertilizers, carry out abundant watering. Sanitary pruning will not be superfluous.
Columnar apple trees are still difficult to find in private farmsteads and in the gardens of ordinary citizens. However, interest in this species is undoubtedly growing.
