The main features of the columnar apple varieties are an unusual form that allows these trees to be planted close to each other, and the fact that fruiting begins in the first year after planting. Ordinary apple varieties begin to set fruit only after 4 years. The hybrid takes up very little space, as it grows vertically and practically does not produce lateral growth. Yields are very high. The columnar apple-tree Arbat appeared on the market among the first. About 6 such trees can be planted next to each other on the site: they will occupy as much space as a standard-sized tree.
Apple-tree columnar Arbat: description
The seedling can be a seed dwarf or a grafting on a bonsai tree. The broad crown, usual for gardeners, is absent from this tree; apples are located at the ends of shoots growing from the trunk, which facilitates harvesting. The columnar apple-tree Arbat differs in unpretentiousness in leaving and large fruits. Thanks to the dense trunk and short branches, the tree is well lit by the sun from all sides. Plants begin to yield at the age of five. Bear fruit abundantly and regularly. Judging by the reviews, the columnar apple tree Arbat at the end of summer resembles a garland dotted with fruits. Winter hardiness of this variety is at an average level. To increase productivity, the ovaries are rationed, manually thinning them and removing excess flowers. Otherwise, there will be many fruits, but outwardly they will turn out to be unattractive and small.
Features of the fruits of the variety Arbat
The fruits of this columnar apple tree are rounded in shape, slightly elongated, the skin is of a rich cherry hue, has a dull glossy sheen. Crops begin to be harvested in the second half of August or early autumn. Apples fully ripen after about a month. Their taste is sweet, but there is a slight acidity, and the flesh is very juicy. In the photo, the columnar apple tree Arbat looks like a pillar covered with fruits.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The main advantage of trees is their small size and compact crown.
Other benefits of the variety:
- For the normal development of 0.5 m2 of area is enough. Growing such an apple tree allows you to greatly save space on a summer cottage, since you can use 5 plants at once instead of one tree of normal size.
- Apples ripen in late summer, abundant fruiting occurs every year.
- Even young plants bring a good harvest.
- Trees reach a height of no more than 3 meters, but usually do not exceed 1.5-2 m.
- The apple tree is resistant to most pests and diseases.
- The tree is quite frost-resistant in central Russia.
There are some disadvantages of the variety:
- Apples are poorly stored and crumpled during transportation.
- The tree lives for about 15 years, which is considered a short period for the apple tree. Its lifespan can be slightly extended with regular and regular pruning.
- Chopping fruit.
Column-shaped apple tree Arbat: photo and description
This variety is ideal for a small garden or summer cottage, where there is little space for a tree of standard size. Thanks to the narrow pyramidal crown, it will become a decorative and useful replacement for the green fence. According to the description of the variety, on the columnar apple tree Arbat, the fruits are located almost on the trunks, which gives the tree an unusual look that attracts the attention of neighbors.
The strength of growth in different varieties of columnar apple trees is divided into the following types:
- dwarf varieties
- semi-dwarf varieties,
- vigorous colon-shaped apple trees.
Each of these types has a very developed trunk, but their difference from standard apple trees is that fruiting is not periodic. Due to the compact size of the tree, all the nutrients are spent on growing fruits, and not on branches and foliage. That is why such apple trees begin to bear fruit in the first year of planting.
Features of fruiting
From a five-year-old plant, you can collect up to 20 kg of the crop. The columnar apple tree Arbat, in the description of the variety of which indicates that the weight of the fruit is on average 200 g, may even suffer from the weight of the apples. Due to the abundant harvest, the branches break, so the number of ovaries should be regulated. After the autumn harvest of fruits, they can only be stored until the beginning of winter, otherwise they will lose their taste and deteriorate. Apples are allowed to rest a bit, then eat or preserve. The shape of the fruit is very beautiful, slightly elongated, the skin has a rich cherry color, and the flesh is cream in color. The fruits are very juicy, have a pleasant sweet taste with sourness.
How to plant a columnar apple tree
They begin to prepare a planting pit in autumn or early spring, as soon as the snow has melted: the seedling should be planted before the buds are dissolved. Before planting, the root system is soaked in water and trimmed a little. A fertile mixture of compost, humus and minerals is placed in the pit. The roots of the columnar apple tree Arbat straighten and gently fill with soil. On annual seedlings, all buds are harvested. Then the tree needs to be abundantly watered and the circle around the trunk closed. Watering a young apple tree should be 2 times a week. In the year of planting, the sapling can tie 2-3 fruits.
Features of the care of the colon apple tree
A plentiful harvest can be obtained by properly caring for the apple tree. They take care of the tree in early spring, introducing nitrogen-rich mineral fertilizers under the root. When sap flow has not yet begun, sanitary pruning is performed, removing diseased and dry shoots. The soil in the near- stem circle is loosened, watered and mulched. Then the tree is treated from pests. Prior to harvesting, you need to ensure that the tree remains healthy, and in time to fight against detected infections or insects. After harvesting, the apple tree is fed and the branches are shortened again. Then begins the preparation for the cold period.
How to prepare a tree for winter
The columnar apple tree Arbat is a variety with medium cold hardiness, therefore it will need shelter for the winter, otherwise the top may freeze, resulting in a change in the shape of the plant. The root system is particularly sensitive to temperature extremes, therefore it will also need protection. As a covering material, hay, straw or special material is used, laying it inside the trunk circle. In late autumn, the apple tree is tied to a strong support so that it does not break from sudden gusts of wind. Tree trunks can be wrapped with nylon tights to protect them from hares and other rodents that can damage the bark. It is especially important to protect young seedlings that can become infected with various diseases and die as a result.
Pest protection
Due to the compact size of the crown, columnar apple varieties are easier to treat from pests and diseases using the spraying method. Most often, trees are affected by the apple moth, which hides under the exfoliated bark and penetrates into the ovary, eating fruits. This dangerous pest can destroy half of the apple crop. To prevent damage to the apple tree by the moth, preventive measures should be taken: burn fallen fruits and leaves, regularly check the bark for peeling and damage, spray the crown with special preparations 2 weeks after flowering. Regular top dressing strengthens the immunity of the tree, and the attentive attitude of the owner, proper pruning and processing with drugs will not allow insects to spread.
Another common pest of colon-like varieties is Apple Blossom. It hibernates in secluded corners under the bark or in the foliage and comes to the surface before the buds begin to open. The pest eats young leaves, eats buds and propagates in them. Larvae spoil the flowers, and then spread throughout the site. Chemical spraying helps to cope with this insect in early spring, before foliage appears. For processing use "Fufanon" and "Inta-Ts-M", sequentially spraying them with apple trees at the kidney stage and after the appearance of the pink bud. In periods when the air temperature does not exceed 10 degrees, you can get rid of pests by shaking them off the crown on the litter in the early morning.
A columnar apple tree can also be affected by leaf cover and aphids. Spraying with a solution of ash with the addition of green soap, tobacco infusion and onion peel helps well against insects. In case of severe pest damage, biological and chemical preparations are used to combat it. It is useful to carry out preventive treatment with copper sulfate and Bordeaux liquid. With proper care, the columnar apple tree Arbat will certainly bring a rich harvest.