Apples grown on columnar trees are normal size, but a columnar tree produces less fruit than a standard, dwarf, or semi-dwarf tree. In the autumn the tree is covered in masses of small reddish-yellow crab apples that provide a feast for hungry birds and contrast beautifully with the warm bronze autumn foliage. Just remember, the amount of fruit you get will depend on your climate and how well you take care of your tree. Columnar apple, pear, plum, apricot, peach and cherry trees can be grown outdoors in USDA climate zones 4-8.

If you are growing in the ground, make sure that you have amended the soil with plenty of organic matter, and provided fertile and weed-free soil. Whilst minarettes and supercolumns are usually grown as free-standing trees (supported by a stake), cordons are usually grown against a wall or supported by a trellis.

It is also necessary to regularly provide additional nutrients in the form of compost or natural fertilizer. Save: 14% off Cordon Apple Collection (3 Trees) This Mini Orchard Cordon Collection consists of 1 x Cordon Apple 'Braeburn', 1 x Cordon Apple 'James Grieve' and 1 x Cordon Apple 'Sunset'. With a passion for nurturing the earth and a flair for writing, Grace Miller is a renowned voice in the world of gardening.

Columnar cherry trees and columnar damson trees do grow very compact, however they push out heavily in width after a few years at the latest. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. Although growers are working to create a variety of columnar fruit trees, apple trees are currently the only type on the market. Apple, pears, plums and cherries for example, it does not matter how you plan the planting, full pollination will be achieved as long as the trees are in the same vicinity. Sylvia’ has particularly low space requirements and develops sweet, dark cherries directly on the middle shoot.Regardless of the term used, cordon training is more suitable for apples and pears - plums and cherries are not usually grown in this style because they do not suit the ongoing pruning necessary to maintain the form. The leader itself should also be shortened by a few inches as this induces better spurring lower down. With a little bit of attention and care, you’ll be enjoying delicious homegrown apples before you know it! For example, if you plant a ’Polka’ apple variety columnar fruit tree and one of the apple variety ‘Pomforyou’ they will fertilise one another.

Whilst most fruit tree cordons consist of a single long stem, other more exotic forms are possible, including U-cordons, triple cordons, and cordons with even more arms. When selecting columnar fruit tree varieties, be aware that sellers often label apple varieties as columnar even when they are certainly not true columnar varieties. Very popular with children but also an excellent variety for juicing as it produces beautiful pink juice. If you choose to use one, prepare your support structure and place your well-secured training wires horizontally across this structure.Being broadly similar to the traditional cordon style, these are ideal grown actually on a wall or fence, or planted a few inches in front of it.

However, new breeds such as ‘Trajan’ or the dual red currant ‘Dulina’ with white and red berries make it particularly easy. They can be grown in the same container throughout their life, after 4 years or so, re pot in to the original container after having removed some of the old soil and teased out the roots, repot with fresh compost.Pears too can grow well in many UK gardens, and these trees can also respond well to cordoning or columnar pruning. To ensure adequate pollination choose two varieties from the same species that are in the same flowering group or one group apart. With our helpful tips and advice, you can enjoy delicious, juicy fruit straight from your mini orchard in no time! Although it’s best to use spur-bearing cultivars, it is also possible to train partial tip-bearers as cordons.