With a bit of luck, an apple tree in your own garden brings added value in the form of apples for juices, cakes and fresh consumption. However, in addition to the purchase price, maintenance costs must also be taken into account.
How much does an apple tree cost and what are the care costs?
The price for an apple tree is between 10 and 50 euros, depending on the size and refinement. Additional costs may arise from planting, maintenance and tree pruning. A potted apple tree is an easy-care and cost-effective alternative.
The purchase of an apple tree
As with all garden designs, purchasing an apple tree depends on what type of tree you choose and how much work you do yourself. Depending on the size and retailer, an apple tree with a standard trunk costs around 25 to 50 euros. An apple tree with half-trunk grafting, on the other hand, is a little cheaper. Even if very young trees can sometimes be purchased for around 10 euros during special offers at discounters or via mail order, a correspondingly longer time until the first harvest must of course be taken into account.
Costs for planting and care
If you don't have the confidence to plant the apple tree yourself, you may have to expect costs for it to be planted by a gardener. This usually calculates an hourly wage of around 30 euros. However, fruit and horticultural clubs often offer this service at a slightly lower price. A neighbor may also be able to help you with the planting as part of Neighborhood Help.
Cutting as a frequently recurring care measure
In order to have a good yield of apples in the long term, most apple trees have to be cut once or twice a year. This work should not be underestimated, as after pruning the tree in spring, a second pruning is often necessary in summer. If you cannot do this yourself, the costs for a gardener can add up.
The apple tree in the pot
An apple tree in a pot only requires a manageable amount of care due to its smaller height. Sometimes, with a little patience, an apple tree in a pot can be grown from a core completely free of charge.
Tips & Tricks
The costs of purchasing, planting and caring for an apple tree are offset by the yield of the apples. In productive years, these can also be processed into storable apple juice at a winery for a fee.
