Even the smallest garden has room for apple trees if space saving varieties and techniques are used. Columnar and mini dwarf apple trees are ideal for limited spaces and containers.
Several years ago, Stark Brothers released the first columnar apple trees, the Colonnades, which are for sale at local nurseries. Columnar trees are so slender they require very little growing space. They grow 6-8' in height, and produce an abundance of full size fruits.
Other nurseries have released a number of other columnar varieties as well, including Caville Blanc d'Hiver, a very disease resistant heirloom variety.
The rooting stock determines the mature size of the tree, so special ones are used for the mini dwarfs, which reach 6-8' in height.
At least four of the mini apple varieties are unaffected by the more common diseases like scab, cedar apple rust, and fire blight. They include Liberty, which owes its resistance to its wild apple genes. The bacteria responsible for fire blight is developing some resistance to the antibiotic usually used for the disease. For that reason, choose resistant apple trees whenever possible.
Most apple varieties will need another variety for pollination. That is a good reason for growing two or more varieties. The only self-pollinating ones are Golden Delicious, Red Rome Beauty, and Grimes Golden. Another option is to grow flowering crabs, such as Stark's Maypole Colonnade, to provide the needed pollen.
All of these apple varieties are well suited for zones 4 through 8.
While the Colonnade apples will bear the first year they're planted, mini dwarfs may take several years to become fruitful.
To conserve space, gardeners can also train espalier apple trees on existing backyard fences. Those wishing to do so can even buy pre-trained trees. Or train them to create hedges and privacy screens.
Espalier fruit trees were once more common, especially in medieval gardens, which tended to be formal. The present trend in garden design is a return to the more formal design elements. In such gardens, vertical features are especially important. And the columnar apple trees are marvelous focal points in such formal gardens.
Besides providing architectural interest in the landscape, the trees yield abundant flavorful fruits.
Turn an ordinary stuffing into a scrumptious treat by adding homegrown, peeled, chopped apples and pecan pieces. Make your own fresh cinnamon-flavored unsweetened apple sauce, and serve as a side dish with pork chops.
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