If you're looking for a house tree that presents itself as a floral work of art in the garden, you'll find it at Zierapfel. You can purchase the most beautiful varieties as grafts on a standard tree or you can train your Malus hybrid to become a small tree yourself. Read how to do this here.
How do I train a crabapple to become a standard tree?
To train a crabapple as a standard tree, fix the central shoot to a stick, cut off side shoots and raise the top of the shoot. After reaching the desired trunk height, shorten the tip and thus promote crown branching.
How to train crabapples to be standard trees
In the wild, crabapples always thrive as richly branched shrubs. In order for the wood to transform into a small tree, the starting signal for training to become a standard tree is given at an early age. How to do it right:
- Fix the strong central shoot of a young crabapple to a stick with a tree tie (€8.00 on Amazon)
- Cut off all side shoots without damaging the bark
- Subsequently, raise the shoot tips in parallel and consistently cut off unnecessary side branches
Once the central shoot has reached the desired trunk height, cut off the tip about 20 cm above the established crown base. This cut initiates the branching that ultimately creates the crown. New side branches are shortened to 3 leaves so that they branch vitally. You will then shape the crown in this way while the trunk continues to be supported and grow in diameter.
These refined varieties aim high
If you train a Malus hybrid yourself from a bush to a tree, the result is more of a standard tree for the pot due to the limited height. If, on the other hand, you are aiming for a majestic crabapple standard tree with a height of 8 to 10 meters as a house tree, qualified tree nurseries have adequate refinements available for you. We have put together the most beautiful varieties for you here:
- John Downie impresses with its slender growth, white flowers and 3 cm large, edible fruits
- Red Sentinel scores with pink buds, white flowers and cherry-red apples in autumn
- Golden Hornet stretches up to 10 m as a standard tree to boast pink-white flowers and golden-yellow fruits
The high effort required to refine standard stems is reflected in correspondingly high prices. Specimens with a trunk diameter of 20 cm are priced from 500 euros. Therefore, ask about your favorite standard variety from various suppliers before you make your final purchase decision.
Tip
When choosing a location for a crabapple, the problem of soil fatigue, which is present in all rose plants, should be taken into account. Do not plant a young crabapple in a spot that previously harbored a Malus species. Alternatively, do a complete floor replacement.
