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I've decided to try and fit an apple tree in my small yard. Due to neighbor's trees shading my back yard, I only have a small area that gets full sun (front yard is even more shaded), so I decided to go as small as I can. Looking online I've come to the conclusion that either a columnar tree or a mini-dwarf would be the way to go.
Advantage of columnar:
Takes up slightly less space
more vigorous rootstock used
Disadantages:
Can't select common varieties
Disease resistance descriptions are vague
Advantage of Mini-dwarf:
Can choose disease resistant varieties (powdery mildew and rust are worst here)
Dusadvantages:
Dwarfing rootstock is more finicky
Plenty of crab apple trees around for pollen -that's also why I know what diseases are worst - so I can get by with a single tree.
For Mini-Dwarf I'd either get Pristine or Enterprise - although in some places they list Pristine as susceptible to rust, the PRI web site says slightly resistant. For columnar, I'd choose Scarlet Sentinel, description says 'disease resistant' but doesn't say to which ones.
Anyone else have any ideas or suggestions?
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