The Fruit Tree For Small Gardens That Doubles As A Fence

If you've got a small garden space but big dreams of growing fruit, there's a type of tree you must know: the stepover apple. Technically, this plant doesn't grow just one specific variety of fruit — it's any low-growing apple tree of about 18 inches tall, pruned and trained to stay so small you can easily step over it. In a petite garden, every bit of space counts, and with the right technique, you can get a stepover apple tree to double as a fence. This tree also has the added benefit of not blocking light for the rest of your garden.

Picture a very small apple tree with two main branches espaliered to form the shape of a T. You can buy them pre-trained into this shape or try to do it yourself. Sometimes, there may just be one branch, but they typically grow along a low wire or other support structure. Many fruit trees are perfect to espalier; however, if you want to create a stepover apple tree fence in your yard, not just any apple tree will do.

You will need to start with a young tree (usually one year old) that is grafted onto miniature or dwarf rootstock. You will also need a spur-bearing variety of apple, which means it produces fruit on short shoots of old wood. Popular varieties such as Gala, Golden Delicious, and Braeburn all fall into this category and will work as long as they are grafted onto suitable rootstock.

You will need multiple trees to form a fence. If you want to grow just one tree, make sure you choose a self-pollinating variety. Build a support structure for a fence, consisting of posts about 4 to 5 feet apart. Stretch wire between your posts about 2 feet from the ground. Once your supports are in place, you can plant your apples.

After exploring the tips and tricks you need to help apple trees thrive in your yard, and your new dwarf trees are planted, you can start thinking about training and pruning. Knowing how to prune apple trees is always important to maintain their health and maximize protection. When your goal is a stepover apple tree, your pruning technique is especially important. Starting with a pre-trained tree will help minimize the need for early pruning and ensure you get fruit sooner.

Otherwise, you will need to tie the tree's main stem to a support post and then cut it back in the spring to the first bud above the wire. Side shoots will form, and in early to mid-summer, you can tie two shoots to the wire at a 45-degree angle to the tree's trunk, using soft twine at several points. Prune any other shoots. Continue tying as the shoots grow. Once the side shoots reach about 1.5- to 2-feet long, prune them back to an upward-facing bud. Trim the side shoots at this time. After this, regular pruning maintenance will be needed.