Columnar Apple Trees for Small Gardens 🏡🍎🌳

[@zsurazsi]

Wow, fruit trees in space? Very interesting, keep us posted how is it going!

[@Orchardpeople]

I know! I love that idea!

[@projectmalus]

Thanks. I've been wanting to try Bud 9 interstem on Bud 118 for awhile, since I have lean well drained soil (Nova Scotia) and wouldn't mind having the better graft compatibility of the Bud 9 plus they're both red. Made a diagonal cordon last yr, moose took out one end this summer. Fireside, Blenheim Orange, Hubbardston Nonesuch, Golden Pearmain all seem good so far. It sure is easier to plant trees along a trench instead of starting holes.

[@Orchardpeople]

That sounds like a great strategy for your climate! Too bad about the moose damage though 😔

What kind of root have they? vertical or horizontal? Would it be growing over a place who had apples trees before...?

[@Orchardpeople]

Fruit tree roots are usually mostly horizontal, though they’ll all have some roots that go down. It’s usually best practice not to plant in the exact same place that you used to have an apple tree because if your tree died of disease, the disease pathogen may still be in the soil. But you can try it if you have no other place!

[@torontohomestead9254]

Even if a container apple can survive on a condo balcony, attracting pollinizers up 30 floors may be a challenge.

[@Orchardpeople]

You are absolutely right! That could be tricky. In that case, hand pollination with a small paintbrush might be necessary! And of course, you'll need a second, compatible partner tree nearby that blooms at the same time to make this work.

Do you need two of them to have Apple? Are they available in Québec Canada zone 5

[@Orchardpeople]

Columnar apple trees, like most apple varieties, need cross-pollination to produce fruit, so you’ll want two different varieties that bloom at the same time. They should do well in Québec Zone 5, but you'll need to check the plant hardiness of the individual variety you choose to make sure. Check with specialist nurseries near you-my fruit tree nursery list (orchardpeople.com/where-to-buy-fruit-trees/) might help you find one that carries them. If you can get one from a Quebec nursery, that's great! Otherwise, you can order from another province!