Monday, August 30, 2010

Small space apple tree......

Since home lot sizes are getting smaller and fewer and fewer of us live on acreage, here is one way to have your apples and grow them too!

Columnar apple trees!  You may or may not have seen them but they are trees that are unique in how they grow.......on a single long stem!

apples 004

This is a "Northpole" columnar apple that we planted, in our backyard, six years ago.

Now, it is close to 10 foot tall because we have never pruned it back.  I may do that next year, to make it easier to reach the fruit at the top.

 

And speaking of fruit......this has been a banner year!

apples 006 

The tree was loaded with fruit, if I would have thinned it out some, we would have still had lots of apples and they would have been larger.

The fruit is sweet and juicy and the tree requires minimal space and care.  The tree can be container grown and will produce fruit the first year. 

We bought our tree from One Green World Nursery in Molalla, Oregon.  They sell three varieties: Northpole,which is described as having McIntosh-like apples; Golden Sentinel which produces golden-yellow fruit and Scarlet Sentinel with large, greenish-yellow fruit.

I hate using sprays but I think we may have to, or try some organic methods.....here is a photo showing part of this years crop amongst the leaves.apples 005Even if you live in a condo, you could grow one of these in a pot......it just needs a fair amount of sun and you would have fresh picked apples every fall! How fun is that!

I am linking to the following:

Bloomin Tuesday at Ms Green Thumb Jean

Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Day Dreamer

Tuesday Garden Party at Oregon Cottage

Rednesday at Sue Loves Cherriess

28 comments:

Bonnie said...

That tree is amazing! Can't believe it could grow in a pot. WOW!

Racquel said...

What a great space saving fruit tree! :)

Jean said...

What an awesome tree! I've never heard of anything like it. Thank you for sharing it with us. Jean

Shellbelle said...

I've never seen a tree like this, let alone one that gives you fresh apples. How interesting! Thanks for teaching me something new today.

Unknown said...

Love the apple tree. Have you tried Espleier apple trees? Use a wall or fence and anchor it.

LV said...

How interesting. I never say an apple tree like this. Those red apples look delicious.

★Carol★ said...

I've never seen anything like this, but what a great way to have a tree if you've got a tiny yard! I think someone needs to start making some apple pies, because it looks like you'll have a bumper crop!
Happy REDnesday!
Carol

Sarah said...

Interesting post! I've learned something new today. ~ Sarah

Mary said...

I had no idea there was such a thing as a columnar apple tree~ What a great space saver!

genie said...

Dear Jan,
This is my first visit to your blog....and I am enamored with your apple tree. I have NEVER ever seen or heard of that variety. Your apple crop is amazingly beautiful. Our little scrubby tree is producing apples for the first time in 30 years....I call that a real miracle. I am a bit jealous of your already being a great grandmother.....I have one grandson going to college this year so maybe I will make it within 5 or 6 years. Got my fingers crossed.

Hugs,
Genie

Ann said...

I've never seen an apple tree that grows like the one you have...very neat! Those apples look great, too! Enjoy them.
Fondly,
Ann
@
The Tattered Tassel

Cherry Chick said...

Exactly! Way cool! ;-)

Anonymous said...

I have never heard of such a thing! That's amazing!

craftyles said...

I've never seen anything like this. It's a great idea. Your apples look pretty and I bet they will be so yummy!

Light and Voices said...

Kewlopolis!
Joyce M

Abramyan Avenue said...

Wow! I've never seen this before. Please don't laugh..but.. just yesterday I made breakfast for the girls and I saved the apple seeds hoping to plant them. I have always wanted an apple tree. I don't know how they will grow in Texas though. I love, love, love your tree! Thank you for sharing!
-April

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

is it a vine? This is the first time I have been told. How very interesting.

Ann said...

Wow!! Never seen this before-anyone could have this in their yard, Love it.
Ann

Polly said...

Ooooh, I want one!
We have a small back yard so that would be great! How long does it take for the trees to produce fruit??
-Polly
www.learnandgopollyco.blogspot.com

Antiques Galore Gal said...

How interesting! It's a new tree to me, I'll have to read up on them.

Deborah Kay at The Paint Splash said...

OHHHHH! I have to have one! That is awesome. Debbie

Ms. Bake-it said...

What a great concept! Thanks for the info! I am going to check it out. I do not have much room in my yard but would love to have more fruit trees.

~ Tracy

reprise vintage said...

i've never heard of these. thanks for sharing! a perfect post for rednesday!

Heather said...

I planted these in the small backyard of our last house:) I agree... you could plant them anywhere. I have always loved the idea of children being able to pick something and eat it right from their own yard... this makes it easy and doable.

visiting from tgp.

Anonymous said...

This is sooo interesting! I had no idea there were trees like this. What a great idea! Love it!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I stopped by to thank you for the really wonderful and informative comment you left on my blog yesterday. You are so right about our "Korean Conflict." I was grateful for the update, because I really didn't provide any information about Korea or Taiwan.

Of course, after I got here, I was mesmerized by the apple tree that grows in practically no space at all. What a lovely post and some beautiful apples to show for it!

Jami @ An Oregon Cottage said...

I love the concept of these- our neighbor in the city had a row of these- really stunning when they bloomed.

BTW- LOVE One Green World! I've ordered from them a number of times!

Thanks for linking to the Garden Party. :-)

the cape on the corner said...

wow! who knew apple trees could look like this and still get a decent crop? not me! i am so glad you commented on my blog so i was able to come back to yours!

i am trying to get a veggie garden going, and i grew container eggplant. that worked better than i expected, b/c i am what i call a "remedial planter."

lol, so glad you stopped by the cape on the corner, and thank you for your encouragement on my coaster redo! i am sure your jewelry is very unique!