Creeping apple tree: description, planting, care, pruning

The article presents a creeping apple tree: a description of the variety, a guide to planting, care, correct pruning.

In the harsh Siberian climate, gardeners have to resort to great tricks and spend a lot of energy to get a good harvest. In cold winters, apple trees belonging to tall and large-fruited varieties often freeze, and those bred for these climatic conditions are famous for low yields, small apples that have a rather specific taste and presentation. Probably for this reason, the cultivation of creeping apple trees was first begun by gardeners in this region.

Creeping apple tree: description

Creeping apple tree: photo

The creeping apple tree belongs to dwarf varieties and is formed in a special way. Despite its small size, the area it occupies is much wider than that of ordinary apple trees, but they are much less afraid of severe winters.
The apple tree belongs to undersized varieties, as the name itself says. Its maximum height is 50 centimeters. The branches do not grow upwards but parallel to the ground.

There are such creeping apple varieties in which such a crown was formed exclusively thanks to mother nature. These include Borovinka or Melba. If you want, the varieties belonging to any ripening period, as well as small or large-fruited, can be grown as stanza. To do this, you will need to form the crown on time, observing some rules and properly looking after.

Due to its low growth, the tree easily takes cover during the winter cold. This significantly increases the survival rate of the plant, which means it contributes to obtaining large yields. The formation of the first fruits begins 3 years after planting, subject to proper care.

There can be any varieties of creeping apple trees selected for planting like elfin, those with large sizes and delicious taste are especially well suited. To avoid confusion, you should not choose a plant bred in the southern regions, as they have low resistance to cold and can die in winter. An excellent option would be varieties bred in the northern regions. If you choose rootstocks, then local wilds with high resistance to frost are better. If the cultivation takes place by scion, then any varieties are suitable here.

For planting a creeping apple tree, seedlings of the first year of life are taken, which have a flexible trunk. It will be easier for them to adapt to new conditions and forms, they will quickly take root and will not break down when their formation begins.
When choosing a seedling, you need to pay attention to the root system, to its peculiarity. The thickness of the trunk also matters, it should exceed 1 centimeter. If you do not plan to plant in the garden right away, then you need to use a clay talker for the root system so that it does not dry out.

Creeping apple tree: site preparation before planting

Creeping apple tree: photo

It should be recalled that creeping apple trees occupy a large area in the garden, despite their small growth. Therefore, this factor should be taken into account when choosing a suitable place. The creeping apple tree loves sunny areas protected from strong winds and drafts. The site should be flat, the lowlands will not work, since the plant is not tolerant of stagnant water. It is important that the groundwater runs deep underground to avoid root rot.

The planting pit is prepared in advance, filled 2/3 with a fertile top layer of earth, making a mixture using humus and turf soil in equal proportions for this. Potassium and phosphorus are suitable fertilizers. They are used in the same way as for regular apple trees.
Plant young creeping apple trees in the garden during the spring and fall. If it is spring, then the trees are formed throughout the summer, if it is autumn, then it is necessary to tilt the branches to the ground and fix it with wooden or metal hooks. Further, the plant is covered with special materials for the winter months, and in the spring the seedlings are left to develop freely.

During planting, the seedling must be kept upright or at a 40 degree angle. The root collar should remain above the ground, but if the ground is dry, it can be buried a little. If the soil is damp, the tree may start to rot.
After planting is complete, each seedling must be watered abundantly using at least 2 buckets of water. Next, a layer of peat or humus mulch is applied, which will help to retain moisture in the soil and protect the root system during frosts.

Creeping apple tree: care

Creeping apple tree: photo

How to properly care for a creeping apple tree and what are the subtleties?
As for fertilizing and watering, here they go do not differ from ordinary varieties. As for the formation of the crown, here you will need to study all the rules more carefully.

Pruning a creeping apple tree, shaping a stlate tree

Before deciding to grow a creeping apple tree, it must be borne in mind that this will require a lot of labor and time spent. The skeleton of an apple tree is formed within 6 years, and throughout this period it will be necessary to pay attention to it, regularly cut and fix the branches.

After the winter cold and the removal of the shelter, the seedlings planted in the fall must be given freedom to grow until the first summer month. It is important not to allow lignification of the branches, as this can lead to injuries during their attachment. The branches again bend to the soil surface in June, so that there is a space of 5 centimeters between them and the ground. Plucking the branches is done in August, this helps to stop their growth and lignify the bark.

Saplings of a creeping apple tree, planted at an angle in the spring, are also left until June for their free growth. If there is a desire to make branching more abundant, this can be done by cutting the trunk by a third, but this is done, this is solely at the request of the gardener. The formation of a new plant begins in the summer. To do this, you need to fix the trunk at the surface of the earth by tilting it and holding it in the place where it was grafted.

When planting, it is imperative to keep an eye on the branches, they should be placed horizontally, since due to the bends, they can be burned by the sun's rays or get frost cracks over time.

Seedlings planted in an upright position, cut to 5 buds with the arrival of spring, the creeping crown is formed from twigs that begin to grow. They are fixed horizontally using hooks or staples. When fixing, it is necessary to ensure that the arrangement of the branches is even and they lie on the ground.

The crown can be shaped like a large saucer. To do this, you need to evenly fix the branches by creating a circle out of them. You can form two arms from two main branches that are located opposite each other and 5 branches located on them. In this case, a distance of 40 centimeters must be observed.

Strengthening the tree

In order for the creeping apple tree to always have a characteristic shape, it is necessary to ensure that all newly emerging shoots are bent to the ground in time and fixed until they become stiff.
Considering that the stanza quickly overgrows, pruning should be carried out on time in order to prevent thickening of the crown, which will affect the volume of the crop.

Leaving the plant unattended by letting it overgrow can cause many problems. For example, diseases develop, pests actively spread, the plant can begin to bear fruit much later, the apples themselves can change their color, become smaller and lose their taste.

For creeping apple trees of dwarf varieties, it is necessary to carry out brightening pruning every year. It is necessary to remove all those branches that have signs of illness, damage, have incorrect growth or are old. Pruning this way rejuvenates the tree and produces more young branches bearing quality fruit.

Preparing for the winter cold

The creeping apple tree does not require special care and special knowledge. The plant must be weeded to remove the root growth. You can apply a layer of peat mulch around the trunk, which will significantly reduce the growth of weeds and make you forget about them again.

When preparing a creeping apple tree for the winter cold, you need to cover the trunk with a layer of earth and mulch to a height of 10 centimeters, this will allow the plant not to freeze. Further, the crown is covered with spruce branches, dry foliage, snow or other insulating materials. It is important to remove the shelter in the spring so that overgrowth does not form.

So that branches are not damaged under heavy shelters, it is necessary to build props... The tree is covered with a burlap made of synthetic material, the edges are sprinkled with earth, a 10 cm layer of spruce branches or other insulation is laid on top and everything is covered with a film so that the insulation does not get wet. In order to fix the structure, lay the boards on top.
To avoid the invasion of rodents, it is necessary to use the poison, which spreads around the entire perimeter of the apple tree.

So that after the shelter is removed, the plant does not receive sunburn, before covering the plant, whitewash must be applied to the trunk and branches located close to the surface of the earth. This also helps to protect it from the invasion of harmful insects.

In Siberia, return frosts often occur, which can harm the plant if the shelter is removed ahead of time. Therefore, you should be extremely careful. Of course, there is no need to rush, but it is also not worth leaving the shelter for too long. The insulation should be removed layer by layer, so the tree will gradually get used to the new conditions.

Gardening tips

Siberian gardeners who grow dwarf apples recommend thinning the ovaries in the first years of the plant's life, during intensive flowering and during the period of fruit formation. So, by removing the wrapping from it, you can help the apple tree develop and strengthen. The strengthened tree will surely thank you with an abundance of high-quality and tasty fruits after some time.

To protect the fruits of the creeping apple tree from rot and rodents, it is necessary to make supports under the branches, which, under the load of apples, bend to the ground, and put a film under them.
When picking your apples, it is important to pick them with the stalks and are fully ripe. This will allow them to be easily separated from the branches without damaging the new buds.
All apple trees need fertilizers for good growth, development and rich harvests. Creeping apple trees are no exception. All fertilizing occurs in the same way as in the case of upright apple trees and in the same quantity.

Outcome

Despite the fact that the creeping apple tree requires a lot of labor and time, it is able to bring large yields of tasty, juicy and very healthy fruits, which has always been difficult to obtain in the north of our country. In harsh climatic conditions, it has never been possible to grow any vegetables or fruits without making an effort. Creeping apple trees greatly facilitate the work of the gardener when growing a good fruitful garden.

Creeping apple tree: video