In a small garden there is not enough space for a large fruit tree - not to mention the fact that it not only takes up a lot of space, but also shades most of the garden and makes it difficult to use further due to its spreading roots. On the other hand, small growth forms such as the bush tree or the spindle bush are ideal for fruit lovers with little space.
What is a fruit tree bush?
A fruit tree bush is a small tree shape with a trunk height of 40 to 60 centimeters, ideal for smaller gardens. Typical representatives are apple, pear and cherry trees in bush or spindle bush form, which are easy to care for and train.
Of bush trees and berry bushes
A bush tree is a small tree with a trunk height between 40 and 60 centimeters that is easy to train and easy to care for. Under no circumstances should you confuse it with typical bushes such as blueberries or gooseberries, which do not naturally form a trunk but instead sprout several shoots from the ground. Sour cherries and peaches are particularly suitable for this form of culture, as both types of fruit only form very small crowns. However, you can also plant apples, pears and other mini-sized species in the garden. However, be sure to choose a weakly growing rootstock, because a strong-growing bush tree can also develop a very wide crown, depending on the variety.
Spindle bush – wonderful for a fence or border planting
The spindle bush also has a low trunk height, averaging 40 to 60 centimeters. This tree shape is ideal for planting a row of fruit trees along a fence as a privacy or windbreak. The spindle bush is also suitable as a solitary tree or for pot cultivation. Typical of this growth form is the lack of leading branches; instead, the fruit branches extend directly from the trunk of the fruit tree. As a result, spindle bushes develop only very small crowns. Instead of a single large-crowned standard or half-stem, you can plant between eight and ten different spindle bushes, such as different types of apples, pears, plums, plums or cherries. Spindle bushes can be planted individually or in a row. They are also suitable for planting a narrow fruit hedge or can be grown as a trellis on a house wall.
Tip
Of course, the classic berry bushes such as currants, gooseberries, blueberries and chokeberries (Aronia) also fit wonderfully into a small garden. If you are looking for more unusual fruit bushes, you can also plant goji berries (common blackthorn), sloes or blackthorn (blackthorn), cornelian cherries or rock pears (for example the Saskatoon berries, which are similar to blueberries).
