õunapõõsas

Õunapõõsas is a horticultural form in which apple cultivars are grown as a dense hedge or low shrub rather than as tall orchard trees. The practice uses grafted Malus domestica cultivars trained and pruned to form a continuous line of branches, creating a functional screen that may also bear fruit. Typical hedges are maintained at about 1 to 2.5 meters in height through regular pruning and occasional training on supports.

Cultivation and form: Õunapõõsad prefer full sun and well-drained, fertile soil with a pH around 5.5 to 6.5. They require regular watering while avoiding waterlogging. Regular, mostly annual pruning—usually in late winter or early spring—produces density, removes weak wood, and shapes the hedge. Some light summer pruning can control vigor. Flowering occurs in spring and fruiting occurs from late summer to autumn, depending on the cultivar. Most cultivars require cross-pollination, so placing compatible varieties nearby improves fruit set.

Maintenance and use: In addition to pruning, good air circulation helps reduce disease pressure. Common apple problems in hedges include apple scab and fire blight; monitoring and appropriate management are advised. As hedges, õunapõõsad provide year-round structure, can serve as privacy screens, and offer edible fruit, though fruit yield per plant is typically lower than that of standard trees.

Origins and scope: Apple hedges have a long history in temperate European gardens and remain a versatile option for ornamental landscaping, wind protection, and small-space fruit production in suitable climates. See also: apple orchard, hedgerow, Malus domestica.