Reasons why a columnar apple tree does not bear fruit and what to do to get a harvest

The columnar apple tree is a variety valued for its decorativeness and high productivity. Therefore, some summer residents are wondering: what to do if the columnar apple tree does not bear fruit. To cope with such a problem, you need to know the main reasons for its occurrence.

Why don’t columnar apple trees bloom or bear fruit?

The main reason for the lack of large fruits on a columnar apple tree is the use of low-quality planting material. If apple tree grows poorly, the problem of lack of harvest can also be caused by insufficient tree care, harsh climatic conditions, diseases, deficiency or excess of minerals in the soil.

Varietal feature

A poor apple harvest can be caused by incorrect selection of varieties for certain climatic conditions. Since the root system is shallow, such apple trees are afraid of frost, drafts, and water accumulation in the soil. These factors can lead to reduced yields.

Incorrect landing

Poor yields can also be caused by a violation of tree planting technology. During planting, it is important to choose the right place: it should not be in the open sun, nor in the shade. Groundwater should be deeper than 2-3 meters. There should be some space between the trees. The best option is a gap of 5 meters.

The holes should be made with a diameter of 1 meter. When planting seedlings, they should not be buried too deep. The soil for a columnar apple tree should be enriched with iron.

Young age

These trees produce fruit within a year of planting. But in some cases this period may shift. This is especially true for situations where the plant is not planted in the southern regions. If a summer resident has planted this type of apple tree in a temperate zone, he will receive the first harvest after 3-5 years.

Such features of fruit ripening are determined by the need for the development of the root system.

Side branches

The columnar apple tree weakens as side branches develop, so it is recommended to trim them in a timely manner.To reduce the number of side shoots, you can plant this variety at a distance of 1 meter from each other. According to statistics, this approach to planting doubles plant yields.

A large number of ovaries

This variety of apple trees often produces an increased number of ovaries. Because of this, the load on the tree increases, which has a detrimental effect not only on young plants, but also on adults. In order to prevent a decrease in growth and a decrease in yield, it is necessary to thin out the ovaries for 1-3 years.

Incorrect pruning

If thinning of ovaries and pruning of lateral branches are carried out using the wrong technology, the tree may react with a decrease in yield. To prevent this, when thinning the ovaries, you must adhere to the rule: you need to leave flowers twice as many as the desired number of apples.

Columnar apple trees do not require rough pruning of the side stems. During this procedure, be sure to leave a 2-3 cm cutting. Also, the harvest may decrease if in previous years the summer resident carelessly removed fruits from the tree.

Such harvesting leads to damage to the short branches on which buds are laid for the future harvest.

Intensive growth

When a plant is actively growing, it does not have the resources to form fruits. Because of this, it is recommended to cut off the top of the plant, leaving its height at 2-2.5 meters.

frosts

The columnar apple tree does not tolerate frost, so the tree should be insulated before the onset of cold weather. Straw mulch, rags, and burlap are used as insulation. Particular attention should be paid to the tree during the onset of spring frosts, when buds or flowers form on the branches. In this case, the crown should be wrapped in burlap or other covering material.

Poor pollination

If the plant does not bear fruit, it should choose a different variety for pollination. An apple tree that blooms in a similar period is suitable for this. To increase the success of pollination, it is necessary to either plant another apple variety nearby or graft it into the crown of a non-fruiting plant.

You can increase pollination by planting honey plants nearby that will attract insects. You should also pay attention to the fertilizers applied; their quantity should not exceed permissible limits.

Oversaturation with microelements

A large amount of microelements in the soil can also cause a lack of harvest. For example, with a large amount of nitrogen in the soil, the tree will form only ovaries and flowers.

The optimal feeding scheme for such plants is to apply fertilizers twice a year. Complex products should be used as fertilizers.

What to do to restore fruiting

To know how to make an apple tree bear fruit, you need to determine the reason for the lack of fruit. Based on this, it is necessary to adjust the care of the plant.

Correct and timely pruning

In order for a summer resident to receive a rich harvest, he needs to follow the rules for pruning the plant:

• from the age of 5, the top of the plant must be trimmed regularly - the height of the tree should not exceed 4 meters;
• if drastic pruning is necessary, it must be done gradually: over 2-3 years;
• side branches are cut at a distance of 2-3 centimeters from the trunk.

Regularity and dosed feeding

The plant should be fed moderately. In the first 1-3 years after planting, it will not require additional fertilization, provided that the soil is prepared in advance.Next, the plant should be regularly fed with complex fertilizers.

They should be applied in moderation, avoiding oversaturation of the soil with minerals that interfere with the growth of the tree and the ripening of its fruits.

Organization of winter shelter

It is necessary to insulate the planting before the onset of frost. The root area should be covered with mulch. It is also necessary to insulate the crown of the plant during the period of spring frosts. The best option for this is to use burlap.

Rationing of ovaries

Organizing proper rationing of ovaries helps maintain plant productivity. It is better to leave no more than a dozen flowers on a branch. It is worth considering that this approach to rationing will help to obtain an annual moderate harvest. If a summer resident does not want to ration the ovaries, the apple tree can produce a bountiful harvest every 2-3 years.

Replant an apple tree

If poor fruiting is not associated with the organization of care for the plant, it means that the soil or the place chosen for planting is not suitable for it. In this case, it is recommended to replant the apple tree. This can only be done with a young, healthy plant.