How long does an apple tree live

The apple tree is probably one of the most popular fruit trees that gardeners plant in the first place. And in almost every garden plot you will find at least one apple tree. Life expectancy for different varieties is different, it is determined by different factors, in many respects it all depends on climatic characteristics and proper care of the tree. Now we will consider this issue and find out how long the apple tree lives.

How old and where does the apple tree live

As we said, the life span of apple trees is different, but on average it is 50 years. Let's take a closer look at the reasons that determine this figure.

Terrain... First of all, the state of health, fruiting and life expectancy depends on the area in which you plant the trees. In the south of our country, where winters are mild and warm, apple trees live for 100 years, since they do not have to face strong temperature changes and resist winter frosts. But already in the regions of the middle lane, the apple tree lives only 60 years, provided that the tree is well looked after.

In the northern regions, in Siberia, in the Urals, it is advisable to plant only frost-resistant varieties, carefully care for them and wrap them up for the winter, but even if all the rules are observed, the maximum life expectancy will be about 40 years. Compared to a hundred years in the southern regions, it may seem that this is not enough, but in fact, given the difficult climatic conditions, this is a very good indicator.

There is also such a thing as life form, this also affects the lifespan of the tree. On this basis, all varieties can be divided into two types: early-growing and late yielding. And we are not talking about the timing of the ripening of apples, but about how long the tree first begins to bear fruit. It has been scientifically proven that a tree that begins to bear fruit later lives longer. For example, columnar apple trees may begin to bear fruit as early as the second or third year, but at the same time after 15 years the tree will most likely complete its life cycle. At the same time, an apple tree, which is grown from seeds, lives incomparably more, since they begin to bear fruit no earlier than in the tenth year (and sometimes in the fifteenth). These factors must also be taken into account when choosing seedlings for your garden.

Well, last but not least - tree care... If you do not pay attention to the garden, then even the most tenacious variety in the most favorable area can be ruined. Therefore, take all the necessary measures in a timely manner, including pruning, preventive treatment against diseases and harmful insects, feeding and preparing trees for winter.

Apple tree life cycles

In the life of an apple tree, cycles can be distinguished that correspond to human youth, mature years and old age. The first life cycle lasts from five to fifteen years (it depends on the apple variety). The second period is characterized by the fruiting of the tree and lasts from fifteen to forty years, but the third cycle is the gradual death of the tree. Fruiting will continue for some time, but the time has come to think about updating the garden.

While the first period lasts, the tree adapts, builds up the root system, which will further help it withstand unfavorable climatic conditions. During this period, it is necessary to form the crown, this will have a beneficial effect not only on the yield, but also on the lifespan of the tree.

Then comes the second period, and the tree grows much more slowly.You can not stop paying attention to pruning, otherwise the crown thickening and a significant decrease in yield may occur, moss appears and grows on the trunk and branches. Therefore, keep sanitary and formative pruning to prolong the life of the tree.

With the onset of the third period, a slowdown occurs, and then a stop of all life processes. Fruits cease to form, branches dry, and once in spring flowering does not come. If you do not grow apples for sale, and the old apple tree is dear to you and brings back pleasant memories, then, of course, the tree can be left. If there are several such apple trees in the garden and you need to free up space, then you will have to say goodbye to the trees and remove them.

Removing old trees from the garden

If it's time to remove the tree, there are various options. You can uproot the tree, get rid of it with chemicals, or use a folk remedy called saline solution.

Mechanical method can be called the most labor-intensive, it will require the presence of several physically strong people and some time. The tree does not need to be sawed or chopped, stepping back a meter from the trunk, dig a moat, the main purpose of this process is to get to the roots of the apple tree and cut them with an ax. Then several people begin to swing the tree and do so until it collapses. After the tree falls, it is necessary to remove the remnants of the roots from the soil, and only then start cutting the crown of the tree and cleaning the territory. But when there is no way to attract assistants, then most likely one of the following methods will suit you.

Chemical method... Such work will require less labor, but more time, the process of destroying the stump and roots can take two years.

First, you need to cut down the tree, and drill four (or more) holes about 15 centimeters deep in the stump. The more holes there are, the faster the process will go. We will not uproot the stump, but will make some effort to start the decomposition process in it. To do this, nitrogen fertilizers must be poured into the holes made, and their supply must be replenished every couple of weeks.

The appearance of overgrowth around the stump should not scare you, in the future it will die along with the stump. In the second year, you can dig up the roots of the tree, this will accelerate the decomposition of the stump and soon it will be possible to remove it from the ground without the use of superhuman efforts.

Salt solution or just coarse salt are a proven folk remedy for removing unwanted plants, and this remedy always works effectively. You can act in two ways: often water the stump with a concentrated saline solution (meaning table salt) or pour coarse salt into the soil closer to the roots. The method is effective, but radical. Yes, the stump will quickly die and it will be possible to pull it out, but nothing else will be able to grow in this place, the soil will be spoiled. Therefore, think more than once before resorting to this method.