If you have little space in the garden or even just a balcony, you still don't have to go without fruit you have harvested yourself: a columnar apple tree can fit almost anywhere due to its extremely narrow growth. But be careful: not everything that is sold under the name “pillar apple” is actually one. True columnar trees naturally grow narrow and do not develop a crown, and they also produce their fruit directly on the trunk. So that you can harvest as many apples as possible, ensure optimal conditions when planting.
How to plant a columnar apple correctly?
When planting a columnar apple, you should choose a sunny to partially shaded location and prefer loose, nutrient-rich, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Dig a planting hole in spring, mix the excavated material with compost and horn shavings and insert a support post for the tree.
Which location does the columnar apple prefer?
Like all fruit trees, columnar apples also need a sunny to partially shaded location. If it is too dark, the flowering and therefore the fruit formation may not occur.
Which soil/substrate is optimal for the columnar apple?
In the open field, a loose, nutrient-rich and slightly acidic to neutral soil is perfect. Highly clayey and compacted soils should be improved and loosened. For potted plants, we recommend a loose, nutrient-rich substrate, which you can mix with clay balls or expanded clay.
When is the best time to plant?
It is best to plant the columnar apple tree in early spring.
How to plant a columnar apple correctly?
Dig a sufficiently deep and wide planting hole that should be about twice the size of the plant's root ball. Mix the excavated material with plenty of compost (€12.00 on Amazon) and a good handful of horn shavings. Support the freshly planted tree with a support post that you insert at the same time as the sapling - do not drive in afterwards, this will damage the roots! Finally, water thoroughly. A plant cut is usually not necessary.
What planting distance should be maintained?
If several columnar apple trees are to be planted as privacy screens, a distance of around 60 to 80 centimeters is ideal. Otherwise, the ideal distance depends on how much the neighboring plant spreads - the apple tree itself remains narrow and crownless.
When does the columnar apple bloom?
Like all apple trees, columnar apples bloom in spring, usually between April and May.
When can I harvest fresh apples?
When you can harvest the first fruits depends on the specific variety: Here, too, a distinction is made between early, mid-early and late varieties. The harvest time is usually between August and September.
Can you propagate the columnar apple yourself?
As with all cultivated fruits, varietal propagation is only possible via vegetative forms of propagation or grafting. In the case of columnar apples, the latter is done via top grafting, whereby the “crown” of the columnar apple is grafted onto an underlying apple seedling. To do this, choose a weak-growing variety, otherwise the tree will quickly grow over your head.
Tip
Pillar apples are very suitable for growing in containers, although you should choose a planter that is as wide as possible for the shallow-rooted plant.
