In many garden centers and garden departments in hardware stores you can buy tall plants in numerous variations. Unfortunately, the spindle bush is rarely one of them. If you can't find a suitable plant, simply grow your own standard tree.
How do you grow a high-stem spindle bush yourself?
To grow a spindle bush standard tree yourself, choose a tall-growing variety, remove side shoots, cut the top of the shoot at the desired trunk height and shape the crown by shortening the side shoots to 3-4 leaves. Patience and proper care are crucial.
Can you grow a standard tree yourself?
It takes a bit of patience to grow a standard tree yourself, but it is entirely possible and as a byproduct it saves some money. Of course, garden centers also have to pay for the lengthy work. However, you have to allow for a few years until your cutting has become a beautiful, tall spindle bush. Grow the standard tree either directly at the desired location or in a bucket.
How do you grow a standard tree?
Look for a young spindle bush with a strong central shoot that is as straight as possible. Tie the main shoot of this plant to a support pole (€6.00 on Amazon) and cut off all side shoots. Do this over the next few years until the spindle bush has reached the desired trunk height. Now cut the shoot tip. At this height the growth of the crown begins.
Do not cut the shoot tip until you are really sure that the trunk is high enough for your needs. The length of the trunk can hardly be changed later, it only grows in width and becomes increasingly thicker.
To get a nice, round crown, keep shortening the new side shoots to three to four leaves. Only remove the support rod when the trunk is really strong. Choose a rather tall variety of spindle bush to grow a standard tree from.
The best tips for growing standard trees:
- choose a tall-growing variety
- remove all side shoots
- the spindle bush likes to grow wide
- determine the desired trunk height right from the start
- form the crown after cutting the shoot tip
- Short side shoots for a round crown
- Plan for trunk thickness growth
- only partially hardy in pots
Tip
If you are unsure which young plant is more suitable, then grow several standard trunks and later select the most beautiful trunk. It takes a lot of time for the plant to reach the desired size.
