With many types of fruit, it is generally the case that cherry or apple trees, for example, do not grow as old as some other trees in the forest. However, from a purely genetic perspective, there is no reason why columnar fruit should have a shorter lifespan than fruit trees with a sprawling crown.
How long is the lifespan of columnar fruit?
The lifespan of columnar fruit depends on care and can be similar to that of conventional fruit trees. What is important is adequate watering, fertilization, frost protection, a sufficiently large planter and a support for the columnar fruit plant.
Tips for a long lifespan of columnar fruit
Pillar fruit is often purchased as an “emergency solution” for growing fruit on a balcony. However, care should be taken to ensure that, despite their slender growth habit, these plants have approximately the same needs as their more vigorous relatives. So that the lifespan is not unnecessarily shortened, the following advice should be heeded when caring for it:
- Select a planter large enough and secure it against tipping over due to wind
- support the columnar fruit with a stake or other support
- Water potted crops adequately in dry conditions
- Protect columnar apricots and peaches in pots from frost damage
- ensure sufficient nutrient supply through fertilization
Special case of columnar raspberries
The so-called columnar raspberry represents a certain special case of columnar fruit. This is often sold particularly decoratively tied to a trellis in a pot, but due to its natural disposition it does not automatically maintain this columnar shape throughout its entire lifespan. Like other raspberries, a columnar raspberry forms new canes from the root area and dead plant parts must be removed regularly. Therefore, a columnar raspberry only remains a columnar raspberry that is visually perceived as such if, with a little effort, it is steered annually in the appropriate direction of growth and fixed to a climbing aid.
Tip
While old fruit varieties with large tree crowns can often increase their yield significantly over their entire lifespan, columnar fruit reaches a certain maximum after a few years. However, due to targeted selection during breeding, the plants usually deliver a very high yield in relation to the plant mass.
