We want a fruit tree to produce a rich harvest of juicy fruits for many years to come. You can find out here what the lifespan of an apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is like. This is how old an apricot tree in your garden gets.
How old does an apricot tree get?
In a sunny, warm location and with good care, an apricot tree will be10 to 15 years old. Negative influences such as an unprotected location, diseases and care errors shorten the lifespan of an apricot to3 to 5 years.
How old does an apricot tree get?
In private and commercial cultivation, the apricot tree can be expected to have a lifespan of10 to 15 years. The apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is a fruit tree that requires warmth and, like the peach (Prunus persica), comes from the sun-drenched steppes of Central Asia, where a temperate, continental climate prevails. In Germany and Austria, even under the ideal conditions of mild winter regions, small apricot trees show the first signs of aging after only 10 years.
If an apricot tree does not have optimal conditions, its life expectancy is shortened by half.
What shortens the lifespan of an apricot tree?
Negative influences such as an unsuitable location, care errors or diseases shorten the lifespan of an apricot to3 to 5 years. These are the most common causes when an apricot tree dies prematurely:
- Sudden apricot tree death (apoplexy wilt).
- Wind-exposed, late frost-prone location with wet, impermeable soil.
- Overfertilization with blue grain or other chemical-mineral complete fertilizers.
- Improper pruning at the wrong time.
- Infestation with Monilia fungal infection, curl disease, Pseudomonas bacteria and other apricot tree diseases.
What is good for a long apricot tree lifespan?
Asunny, protected locationand aspecies-appropriate care that meet the special requirements of an apricot tree are favorable for a long apricot tree lifespan carries. This is what needs to be done so that an apricot bears fruit for many years:
- Plant apricot in a place protected from wind and rain in moderately dry, well-drained garden soil.
- Protect the treetop from late frost in spring.
- In spring, fertilize organically with compost.
- Apricot trees rarely cut after harvest, at the latest in autumn.
- Diseases such as Monilia can be combated through timely pruning, biological tonics and, if necessary, a change of location.
Tip
Overwinter potted apricots frost-free
As a container plant, an apricot tree is only partially hardy. The exposed position of the root ball in the pot makes the tree vulnerable to frost. To ensure a long lifespan, it is advantageous if you put your potted apricot in a frost-free winter quarters before the onset of winter. An unheated staircase, a glazed terrace with a frost monitor or a mild winter garden are well suited.
