Content
- The apple tree and its roots
- The apple tree as Flachwurzler with aversion to waterlogging
- Rules of thumb for root size are limited
- Replace an old apple tree
- Tips & Tricks
The apple tree and its roots
Statements about the root system of apple trees can not really be made for all apple varieties. Depending on the particular growth form as a trellis tree in the pot or as a free-standing wild apple roots can reach very different proportions.
The apple tree as Flachwurzler with aversion to waterlogging
Although the roots of the apple tree usually do not run directly along the surface of the earth, it is nevertheless a predominantly flat root. Therefore, when planting your garden you should also make sure that you do not plant rose plants and strawberries directly near the apple tree trunk, as these would only grow poorly here. Apple trees are sensitive to waterlogging, which is why they should only be watered at about weekly intervals in summer.
Rules of thumb for root size are limited
An old rule of thumb in the vernacular is that the root depth and the extent of tree roots can be approximated by the size of the treetop. In times of special breed and trunk forms this applies only very limited. So the roots of a small apple tree or a bonsai apple tree can reach a surprising size. Since the treetop of the apple tree was often trained by targeted cut strongly into a specific shape, the root circumference can hardly be read from it.
Replace an old apple tree
After a maximum life of about 100 years, most apple varieties have reached their maximum. If you want to replace an old apple tree with a young copy directly in the same place, then this is associated with a relatively large amount of work. Since pome fruit is not planted well after pome fruit, the tree root must be dug up and removed as far as possible for such a project, and then the soil must be filled up with new humus. Without heavy equipment such an undertaking is associated with a great deal of physical work despite the rather low root depth of apple trees.
Tips & Tricks
Often, apple trees should not be exchanged solely for their age, but because they do not bring the desired yield. It could be worth trying to refine the branches of high-yielding apple varieties by grafting on the existing tree. Thus, the growth size of the existing tree can be used as the basis for several new apple varieties.