Columnar apple trees were first discovered in America about 30 years ago. This is a natural mutation. But since then, breeders in many countries have been working with them, because columnar apple trees – that is, without side branches – are very convenient.
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Here are their benefits in our cold climate:
- Every gardener wants to have more varieties with a limited area of the plot. And if regular apple trees need to be planted at a distance of 4-6 meters from each other, then columnar ones – at a distance of 40 cm to 1,2 m. That is, several times more varieties will fit into the same area.
- In a frosty winter, they have a chance to survive, since there are more apple trees. In addition, they can simply be wrapped in insulation, or covered with a warm cap for the winter – therefore, have more southern large varieties on your site.
- It is much more convenient to process, monitor their health and harvest. In large farms, mechanized harvesting and garden maintenance are possible.
- Columnar apple trees produce fruit in the second year, while regular ones produce fruit in the fifth year.
- Such a garden pays for itself much faster.
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There are varieties with side branches. But if you want only one trunk, they need to be removed. Otherwise, they will look like a pyramidal poplar. Their side branches grow at an acute angle upward. And if you buy a seedling with a well-developed root system and a height of 70-80 cm, it can yield a harvest in the first year. Columnar apple trees need additional feeding and fertilizers. And much less watering than ordinary apple trees. Only in drought.
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