If you only have a small garden, you don't have to go without fresh, home-harvested fruit. However, it is not advisable to try to keep a vigorous variety small - the growth power of such a tree can exceed all attempts because the tree defends itself. Instead, you should opt for short-growing varieties from the outset.
How can I keep a fruit tree small?
To keep a fruit tree small, you should choose a small or weak-growing variety, prune the tree correctly and limit the root space, for example by planting the tree in a container. Alternatively, you can cultivate columnar fruit varieties.
Keep your eyes open when choosing a variety
When purchasing fruit trees that actually remain small and are not forced to grow short due to permanent pruning or limitation of the root space, the following points should be taken into account:
- Is the variety rather short or weak?
- Is the variety genetically weak?
- Is the tree grafted onto a weak rootstock?
- What is the maximum size the tree can reach?
There is a big difference between short and weak stature: short stature are trees that only reach a certain, low height from the outset. Low-growing varieties, on the other hand, can generally grow to be as large as a normal strong or medium-sized tree, but they take a very long time to do so. So these are not actual dwarf varieties, but rather very slow-growing trees.
Growth restriction through correct cutting
Many fruit trees can be kept small through appropriate pruning. However, all pruning measures will not achieve the goal if a strong-growing tree defends itself against it and develops masses of water shoots. In addition, such a tree can develop problems with wound healing, so cuts do not heal and constantly gum up. This is one of the reasons why you should, if possible, plant grafted trees on weak-growing rootstocks that do not shoot up even without severe pruning.
The pruning laws for fruit trees
If you want to keep a fruit tree small by cutting it, the following rules will simplify this task:
- Strong winter pruning results in strong budding in spring.
- A summer cut, on the other hand, weakens the growth of the tree.
- The top bud of a cut shoot sprouts the strongest.
- Shoots cut at the same height also sprout evenly (so-called juice scales).
Keep fruit trees small by limiting root space
Furthermore, the desired short stature can be achieved by limiting the root space, for example by planting the fruit tree in a pot. Because the above-ground plant mass has a certain ratio to the root mass, this measure significantly slows down growth. However, you should not keep fruit trees on fast-growing rootstocks permanently in a small pot, as the strength of the roots could burst the planter.
Tip
Instead of trying hard to keep a fruit tree small, you can also cultivate one of the numerous types of columnar fruit. These fit both in the small garden and permanently in a planter.
