Mutsu apple tree: description, photo, where it is grown, reviews

Description of the variety

Mutsu gets its name from the area where this variety was bred. Japanese breeders crossed two varieties: Golden Delicious and Indo in 1930.

Variety Mutsu (other names: Mutsu or Crispin) is an apple tree with an enlarged crown with a wide pyramid. In the first years after planting, the tree grows quickly; with the onset of fruiting, growth slows down. The leaves are dark green with a pointed tip, the flowers are white. The fruits are yellow-green with subtle black and white dots.

Story

Winter apples, recognized by independent experts as one of the best varieties of light fruit in the world, are Mutsu. It was obtained by Japanese breeders from crossing the Golden Delicious and Indo varieties (a local apple variety in Japan) according to some sources in 1930, according to others - in 1948. After testing, the variety quickly spread to Japan and then throughout the world.

Mutsu is not used on industrial plantations in Russia, but the variety is very popular among private owners and is grown at home, in summer cottages in the south and center of Russia and in the CIS countries. It has gained particular popularity with the development of an active trade in seedlings over the past two decades. The demand for planting material of this variety is constantly high, and so far, according to professionals, there is a significant shortage of mutsu seedlings.

Regions of growth

Mutsu, an apple tree that has conquered a large area of ​​Europe, is grown in home gardens and in industrial gardening. The variety is grown in the Moscow region, central Russia and the Volga region. Also popular among gardeners in Ukraine and Belarus.

Origin story

The apple tree was obtained in 1930, the country of origin is Japan, Mutsu Province. The local variety Indo and Golden Delicious were used for selection. The culture successfully passed the tests and quickly became famous in Japan. Later it was brought to Europe, Russia, and Ukraine.

Currently, the Mutsu variety is widespread in Ukraine and the southern regions. It is also popular in central Russia. The demand for seedlings in Russia is quite high.

Advantages disadvantages

The Mutsu apple variety has a number of advantages, thanks to which it is in great demand in Russia.

These include:

• high yields;
• this variety is highly hypoallergenic;
• excellent fruit taste;
• portability;
• tolerate transportation well;
• precocity;
• apples do not darken during storage and retain their shape;
• fruits, juices, dried fruits, jams, preserves, jellies are prepared with apples;
• the tasting assessment of the taste of Mutsu apples is 4.6-4.8 points;
• the fruits have a rather dense skin, which is sometimes considered a disadvantage;
• average resistance of apple trees to diseases.

The disadvantages of apple trees include the following indicators:

• with insufficient care, the apple tree is often affected by pests;
• moderate resistance to scab, powdery mildew and bacterial fire;
• winter hardiness is average, cold winter conditions require shelter;
• The apple tree is susceptible to subcutaneous spotting.

Characteristics and description of the Elena apple tree

This is an early summer variety, the first fruits ripen in the second half of July (closer to the last days), the maximum harvest is in August. It is distinguished by increased productivity, bears fruit in the 3-5th year of life. Another advantage of the apple tree is its stable resistance to diseases of fruit crops, especially scab, and good tolerance of negative temperatures.

Tree dimensions

The trees are medium in size, the crown is rounded-pyramidal in shape, moderately dense and slightly raised. The fruits are set on simple and complex ringlets. The leaves are small in size, elliptical in shape, dark green in color, with a gray tint appearing on the inside.

Annual growth

The tree grows quite quickly due to the characteristics of its “parents”. The branches have a rounded, raised shape. The variety is prone to excess harvest, so you need to carefully monitor the apple tree and thin out the ovaries on the tree more often.

Root system

To successfully grow an apple tree, its root system must be closed, but the hybrid can be planted in the fall at the end of September - mid-October with an open one. Also, if the tree grows in a cold area, it needs to be insulated.

The Elena variety places increased demands on moist soil; if the plant is cultivated in hot areas, it must be provided with water.

Lifespan of a tree

The maximum lifespan is approximately 50-60 years. This figure is influenced by factors such as the place of cultivation, climatic conditions, diseases and proper agrotechnical care of the fruit tree.

Fruiting

Elena's flowering period is late April or early May. The flowers are white, densely sprinkled on the tree. The fruits of this hybrid are not very large, flat-round, the average weight of one fruit is 120-150 g. The apple has a light green color, in some places it is colored with a pink blush; there are also large subcutaneous dots, which makes them clearly visible.

The pulp is light in color, medium density, has a pleasant aroma, sweet and sour, and quite juicy. The fruit contains 11% sugar, the taste according to the tasting score is 4.8 points out of 5 possible. The skin of the apple is smooth and dense, but this does not affect the taste. The first year produces approximately 15 pieces, and then this figure increases if the crop is properly cared for.

Flowering and pollinators

Elena is a bisexual plant, which means that it does not require special pollinators. Apple trees are usually pollinated by bees. Other small insects also do this. This variety also serves as a pollinator for other types of fruit crops.

Ripening period and fruit harvest

The fruits ripen already in the 2nd year of tree development, but maximum fertility occurs in the 5th-6th year. Usually fruits are ready for consumption 7 days earlier than White filling. You should not leave the fruits on the branches for too long because of their short shelf life. Otherwise, the apples lose their taste, rot, and quickly crumble. Suitable for long-distance transportation.

Yield and tasting evaluation of apples

The Elena apple variety is known for its increased fertility and amazing taste. Experts rate the fruit 4.8 out of 5 for taste.

Winter hardiness

This apple variety was selected for cultivation in temperate climates, but due to its cold resistance, Elena easily adapts to colder regions. However, to grow and develop in poor soil, which is devoid of important nutritional components, the tree will need fertilizer and further care.

Disease resistance

This variety is resistant to diseases, but it also has weaknesses. Sometimes an apple tree can suffer from powdery mildew, scab, and a milky sheen. Fungal infections can be prevented with seasonal care. Every autumn, they burn fallen leaves to get rid of fungal spores and prevent them from spreading.

If it is too late and the disease has progressed, cut off the damaged parts of the plant and also burn them. Afterwards, disinfect the cut areas. In the spring, before the tree forms buds, it is treated with a urea solution, and at the time of insect attack, with a soda solution with the addition of soap. The ovaries themselves cannot be touched, as this will lead to the death of the fruit.

The codling moth, which is not easy to get rid of, is considered a dangerous pest for the Elena variety. When this pest is detected, you must first remove the bark - the area where all the insects hide, trim the branches, destroy the infected ovaries and treat the apple tree with a fungicide solution.

Main characteristics of the Mutsu variety

Mature tree size

The height of the tree depends on the rootstock on which it grows.

On a seed stump, the apple tree grows up to 3-4 meters in height, on a dwarf tree - up to 2-2.5 meters.

Appearance of fruits

Mutsu apples are quite large: the weight of the fruit reaches 155-280 grams. Mutsu apples are round-conical in shape (the shape may vary depending on the climatic characteristics of the growing region; sometimes round fruits with blunt sides are found). The apples are large, yellow-green in color, turning yellow when ripe, with a slight, barely noticeable redness.

Tasting assessment

The pulp is yellowish, dense, aromatic, with a honey flavor. Tasters rated the excellent taste at 4.6-5 points. Mutsu apples are low in anthocyanins, making them good for people with allergies. The pulp is fleshy, juicy, aromatic, the skin is thickened, with a glossy coating. Apples have a sweet and sour taste with a pronounced honey flavor. A few months after harvest, apples acquire their richest flavor.

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Where is the crop used?

Since the fruits of the variety are characterized by the presence of a dense skin, they can retain their freshness for a long time. This quality allows the harvested crop to be transported over long distances. The collected fruits, if stored in a cool, dark place, will not become deformed until May.

Also, during crop storage, it is necessary to monitor humidity levels: it should not be high. To get apples with a rich flavor, they need to be given time to ripen after harvesting. This takes 2 months.

additional characteristics

In addition, before planting, it is recommended to pay attention to other characteristics of the variety. These include disease resistance, low temperatures, the possibility of self-pollination and yield levels.

Immunity to disease

This variety of apple trees has average immunity to fungi. Trees are mainly affected by scab and powdery mildew due to high humidity.

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Frost resistance

Apple trees are moderately resistant to low temperatures. If the tree is not properly cared for and the ambient temperature drops below 35 degrees, the trunk will freeze. The variety has average frost resistance and can withstand temperatures down to –30… 35 degrees. In regions with harsh winters, apple trees require additional care: insulate the circle around the trunk by mulching with straw or humus. The canvas is needed to insulate the trunk.

Pollination

This variety is not self-pollinating. In order for the tree to begin to bear fruit, other varieties of apple trees should be planted nearby. The best option for this is Jonathan Idared.

Productivity and frequency of fruiting

This variety is distinguished by a pronounced weakened frequency of fruit formation. Gardeners noted the frequency of apple tree fruiting: after a high harvest, the tree can rest for a year. High fruiting occurs once every 5-6 years. At the beginning of fruiting, the apple tree does not produce a large amount of fruit, but every year the yield increases. An adult tree can produce up to 150 kg of apples. Usually in the 5th year the apple tree produces up to 30 kg of fruit, and in the 10-12th year – up to 65 kg.

Seasonal care

Spring

Spring apple tree care includes pruning to form a crown. It should receive the required amount of sun and be well ventilated. Pruning Mutsu apple trees will not cause any particular problems.

Remove branches growing deeper, as well as any tangled shoots. Skeletal branches of the 1st order should be located at a distance of 40 cm from each other. Branches damaged in winter should also be removed.

Trimming rules:

1. Shorten the main branch and branches by 1/3.
2. Trim young shoots growing from the trunk.
3. Remove branches growing downward.
4. Cut off the lower shoots on the branches.
5. If there are 2 branches nearby, leave 1 strong one and trim the other.

The variety does not require frequent pruning; it is done once every 5-6 liters. as the branches dry out. Treat the cut areas with garden varnish.

Apple trees need to be watered every 2 weeks, using 2-3 buckets of water per tree. A year after planting, fertilize. Use organic matter, mineral compounds with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium.

During the budding period, treat the trees with preparations to protect against pests and diseases (copper sulfate solution, Horus, Aktara). Perform the second spraying during the formation of buds.

Summer

Summer care involves watering at the same frequency as in spring. The water consumption is the same. After this, loosen the soil, remove weeds, and cover the tree trunk circles with mulch. Watering is carried out until September.

In mid-June there should be a second fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers. If the trees grow too quickly, there is no need to feed them in the summer. When apple trees begin to bear fruit, use nitrogen fertilizers in minimal quantities.

Autumn

In autumn, the soil is dug up (after the leaves have fallen). If the weather is warm, dry, water the apple trees. To protect the root system from freezing, cover the tree trunk circles with humus; the layer should be at least 10 cm thick. You can use sawdust, peat, straw, and leaves.

To protect trees from pests, whitewash the trunks with lime. You can use a solution of chalk with copper sulfate. Then cover the trunks with a protective net. To protect young seedlings from frost, you can cover them with bags and agrofibre.

For insulation, foamed polyethylene is also used, which is used for thermal insulation of pipes. Cut it along the weld, put it on the trunk, secure with tape or twine. Remove the insulation in the spring, when the snow melts.

In late autumn, when the first snow has already fallen, throw it around the apple trees. It will serve as additional insulation. In winter, it needs to be trampled down from time to time to compact it. If it's wet snow, knock it off the branches so they don't break.

Ripening and fruiting

The ripeness and fruiting indicators of Mutsu are worthy of the attention of gardeners. Early fruiting and high taste are what is required from a good variety.

Beginning of fruiting

Apple trees on a dwarf rootstock produce the first fruits already in the second year after planting, and on seeds - after 3-4 years.

Deadlines

The Mutsu apple tree variety appears at the end of winter; the fruits remain on the tree for a long time. During storage they do not lose their taste.

Maturation

Depending on the planting region, the apple harvest begins from mid-October to early November.

Fruit storage and harvesting

Two months after harvest, apples acquire a rich taste. They are covered with a thick film and do not deform during long-term storage. They are stored in specially equipped premises until May. Apples tolerate transportation well.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Mutsu apple tree has advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

• low height on a dwarf rootstock, which makes tree care easier;
• good taste;
• hypoallergenicity of apples and the absence of coloring substances in their composition;
• high shelf life and the ability to transport over long distances.

Minuses:

• average frost resistance, requiring additional protection from winter cold;
• insufficiently good resistance to diseases and pests.

External characteristics

The description of the plant highlights several external characteristics that allow the tree to be classified as this particular variety. Among them are the features of the crown, foliage, flowers, fruits, and height.

Crown

Crohn's disease is characterized by a rare structure. In addition, it has a round-conical shape. The strong skeletal branches extend upward at an acute angle, and the lower branches are often drooping. This direction is achieved by the lower branches due to the severity of the fruit.

Leaves

The variety is distinguished by large oblong and smooth glossy leaves. In mature apple trees, the leaf blades may curl slightly. The edges of the leaves are two-toothed.

Flowers

The apple flowers of this variety have a milky-whitish hue. The shape of the flowers is saucer-shaped.

Fruit

The apples are round, slightly conical in shape. Their size is quite large: the weight of one fruit reaches 150-230 grams.

Trunk

An adult apple tree has a rather tall trunk. When grown on a seed stump, the tree grows up to 3-4 meters in length. If you grow a dwarf species, the trunk height reaches 2-2.5 meters.

Features of planting and care

Subtleties of agricultural technology

Given the average winter hardiness of the variety, you should choose flat places for planting, without depressions or depressions where cold air accumulates. If it is tilted, then only south orientation. The place must be protected from the cold wind from the north side, the accumulation of snow on the site should be maximum. Protection from rodents is required - installation of protective plastic nets.

Mutsu prefers soil that is nutritious, moist and breathable. The ideal option is chernozem, but with a sufficient amount of fertilizer (5-6 kg per 1 m2 when digging the soil in the fall and 1-2 kg in combination with a spoonful of wood ash per hole when planting) and humidity (2-3 buckets of water every two weeks until early September) can be grown on loam and sandy loam.

On dense clay soil, it is necessary to add a drainage layer (pebbles, expanded clay) 3-4 cm thick and yeast in the form of river sand (half a bucket) to each planting hole.

Mutsu is most productive in an open, well-lit place; it can grow in the shade, but the yield is reduced by up to 50%. This is evidenced by numerous reviews.

Trees do not need frequent pruning; Sanitary pruning can be carried out by removing dry and broken shoots once every 5-6 years, starting from the age of seven.

It does not tolerate stagnation or blockage of groundwater; its level should not be higher than 2.5 m from the soil surface.

The sixth part of the plant is 4 meters between rows and 3-3.5 meters between plants.

It is best to plant in spring. In order not to buy a completely wrong variety, it is better to buy seedlings in specialized nurseries with variety certificates, checking the description of the variety and focusing on the photo. To avoid contamination of the site with a quarantine infection, seedlings must be purchased locally and not imported.

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For good growth and development of the plant, it is necessary to carefully follow the growing rules. The landing site should be protected from cold northern winds and well lit. The soil must be fertile, it can be black, clay or sandy soil.

Landing stage

To plant a seedling, dig a hole with a diameter of 80 cm and a depth of 100 cm, mix the fertile layer of soil with leaf soil, humus and sand, you can add a little superphosphate. This mixture is left in the pit for 2-3 weeks. After this period, the seedling is planted.

If the planting site has clay soil, drainage is made of crushed stone and gravel at the bottom.

Deadlines

Sowing can be done in spring and autumn.

But experienced gardeners recommend spring planting. A tree planted in the spring is able to grow stronger and grow a root system that will help it more easily endure the winter cold.

In the spring they are planted until the shoots break, but so that the soil warms up well.

In autumn - a month before the onset of frost.

Distance

The distance between trees depends on the stump on which they grew. A mature Mutsu apple tree needs sufficient heat and light, otherwise its harvest suffers.

Trees for seeds are planted at a distance of 3 meters from each other, and in rows - 4 meters. For dwarf trees the distance is shorter.

Feeding

An important component of growth is protecting trees from frost and regular feeding.

If the soil is not fertile enough, it must be fertilized with wood ash and humus. Also, nitrogen fertilizers are applied in the spring under the tree trunk, and mineral fertilizers in the fall. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in the spring, mineral fertilizers are applied in the fall.

Pruning and crown formation

The apple tree does not need crown formation. But regular sanitary pruning is necessary. In spring, remove dry, cracked and diseased branches. The plots are treated with garden varnish.

Pollination

The Mutsu apple tree is self-fertilizing, so only up to 6% of the ovaries are formed during self-pollination. Therefore, other pollinating species are also grown in the same area with this apple tree variety. The following varieties are considered optimal: Jonathan, Gala, Spartan, Champion, Gloucester and Braeburn, Idared, since they bloom in parallel with Mutsu.

Planting and caring for seedlings

To grow the Mutsu apple tree variety in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, it is better to buy seedlings on winter-hardy semi-dwarf rootstocks 54-118 - this option is offered by most nurseries. Lovers will test the capabilities of mutsu grafted into the crown of other winter-hardy apple trees.

Features of growing the variety

Traditionally, a flat or gently sloping area, protected from strong winds, is chosen for planting. The permissible depth of groundwater in the area is at least 2 m.

The recommended distance between plants is 3 m in rows and 4 m between rows.

If generally accepted planting rules are followed, mutsu has good survival rate and rapid growth. But in order for this apple tree to grow successfully, it is important to take into account its characteristics:

• Mutsu blooms mid to late, so the ovaries are rarely affected by repeated spring frosts. But, if the risk still exists, the smoke can be used to protect plantations. For this reason, late in the evening (at a safe distance from the trees) fires are lit in the area. This creates a protective layer of smoke screen that prevents cold air from penetrating into the plantings.
• To make it easier to cover trees for the winter, it is best to grow Mutsu on a dwarf rootstock.
• The Mutsu apple tree practically does not need formative pruning.
• Young seedlings quickly form a powerful trunk, so when planting they do not need to be tied to supports.
• With proper pollination, the variety produces a lot of ovaries, therefore, in order to evenly distribute the load on the tree and improve the quality of the harvest, thinning is mandatory. To do this, only strong inflorescences remain on the stems, removing weak and diseased ones.
• The Mutsu apple tree is sensitive to lack of light. Insufficient lighting slows down the stimulation of sugar formation in fruits, and they become sour.

Direct planting technology

Once a location on the site has been chosen and the soil has been cultivated, it is necessary to begin work on preparing the planting hole, which is carried out several months before planting the seedling, which allows the soil to settle and be evenly moistened. The diameter of the hole for medium-sized apple trees is about 80–100 cm, and its depth is up to 50 cm . When digging a hole, the soil is divided in two - the top layer, which is more fertile, and the bottom.

The bottom is well loosened, and the hole itself is filled with the top layer of soil, and then with a mixture of humus and compost, until a low mound is formed. Then the rhizome of the seedling is straightened out and covered with soil and fertilizer, carefully ensuring that the root collar protrudes a few cm above the surface. Most varieties of apple trees require a support stake to which the seedling is tied, but Mutsu does not need this.

After planting, the soil in the tree trunk circle is compacted, and a shallow hole with a diameter of 1.2 m is dug around the seedling, into which several buckets of water (about 20 liters) are poured. Then the soil is mulched using leaves and humus, which will protect the soil from drying out. Trees are planted according to the scheme - 5x6 m.

Important! It is highly not recommended to use pine sawdust in the mulching process, as it increases the acidity of the soil.

Disease and pest control

Disease resistance

To increase the apple tree's resistance to disease, do not neglect preventive spraying. The mutsu apple is susceptible to peel and powdery mildew in regions with high humidity.

Diseases and pests

The variety has a good immune system, but the tree is susceptible to scab and powdery mildew, so preventive manipulation is necessary. For preventive purposes, spraying with special solutions is sufficient. Trees growing in regions with high humidity are especially susceptible to scab and powdery mildew. Among parasites, the most frequent invasions are carried out by moths, which eat the central part of the fruit.

Like most old foreign varieties, Mutsu requires more attention when it comes to disease prevention and control.

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Bordeaux mixture, aqueous solutions of copper or iron sulfate are used to prevent viral and fungal infections. To treat already infected trees, fungicides of varying degrees of action are required: contact, systemic or universal (systemic contact).

In hot and dry seasons, aphids cause serious damage to plantings. The initial stage of infection can be judged by the curled leaves. It is important not to miss this moment, because the health and life of the tree depends on the speed of taking action. In June, apple trees are most susceptible to infection by aphids - by this time the ovary has already formed, and if the pests are widespread, you can be left without a harvest.

Aphids are destroyed in stages in the following ways:

At the same time, it is worth fighting ants in the area - these insects live in symbiosis with aphids and actively spread them to the garden.

Reviews

Schmidt. T.M. St. Petersburg. "Hello. I would like to share with you my opinion about the Mutsu variety. This apple tree has been growing in my dacha for 15 years. I planted it on the recommendation of a gardener friend. Now, whenever I meet, I always thank him for his advice. The tree is unpretentious in care. I do pruning extremely rarely. Scab infection goes away quickly. There was no periodicity in fruiting. Productivity increases every year. Last year, my husband and I collected more than 70 kg of fruit. The apples are large, sweet, with a pleasant aroma. We use them fresh and processed. As soon as the apples begin to deform during storage, I prepare various preserves from them.”

Elena. Novosibirsk region. "Good afternoon! I heard good reviews and recommendations about the Mutsu variety. In turn, I would like to refute this opinion. The apple tree is constantly exposed to scab, fruit rot and powdery mildew. In winter, the branches freeze. The harvest is unstable. The fruits have a very hard skin. Apples can be stored for quite a long time, but when preserved they lose their aroma and taste.”

Eugene. Yekaterinburg city. “Good day, amateur gardeners!!! In turn, I would like to recommend the Mutsu apple tree variety for each summer cottage. The apple tree has many advantages over other similar crops. Due to the low growth of the tree, care and pruning are easy to use. The yield is high if all cultivation characteristics are observed. Fruits of commercial and consumer qualities. Apples are transportable and retain their quality for quite a long time. They can be consumed fresh both when picked and in the spring.”

Differences from the apple tree Daughter of Papirovka

The fast-growing apple tree “Papirovka’s Daughter” is popular in Russia. The variety was bred in 1937 at the Samara experimental station by crossing scarlet anise with papyrus, the author is S.P. Kedrin. The trees are distinguished by good yield, excellent fruit taste, and winter hardiness. The culture is widespread in the central regions of the European part of the Russian Federation.

Let's look at the main differences between the varieties. Daughter of the Apple Tree Papirovka refers to summer. Resistance to frost and disease is average. Trees on a stump grow up to 7-8 m (the height of the Mutsu apple tree is 3-4 m). The crown is a wide pyramid, the flowers are white and pink (in Mutsu they are milky white). The leaves are dark green, rounded-ovate.

Fruiting occurs after 3-5 years (for Mutsu 2-3 years). Apples ripen in August, the yield of the variety is up to 55 kg per tree. The fruits are smaller than those of the Mutsu apple tree, weight 80-100 g. The color of the peel is from light green to yellowish. Fully ripe fruits are whitish-yellow.

The taste of apples is sweet and sour. The tasting score is 4.8 points on a five-point scale. The skin of the fruit is more delicate than that of Mutsu, so it cannot be transported. The fruits are stored for only 15-30 days. (maximum shelf life).

Features of growing Lungwort

Landing

Basic conditions

• Like all apple trees, Lungwort prefers open spaces, most of the time illuminated by the sun. But even in the shade it can bring a very good harvest, although the fruits will then be somewhat smaller.
• The variety does not like drafts, but has a very positive attitude towards good ventilation.
• High groundwater is the bane of any gardener. It is advisable to plant apple trees where they do not rise above 2.5-3 meters, otherwise they will definitely reach the roots and begin to rot.
• There are no special requirements for soils, except perhaps for excessive acidification. Acidity can destroy plants, so treating the soil with lime helps a lot.
• Holes for planting should be prepared in advance, maybe from the previous season, but 2-4 weeks will be enough. To do this, dig holes with steep walls 60-70 centimeters deep and about 80-90 centimeters in diameter, pour fertile soil diluted with organic matter into the bottom, lay stones or crushed bricks as drainage, and then fill it all with 25-45 liters of water and left in the open air.
• It is better to make about 3.5-4 meters of distance between trees in rows, and the same between rows. This way, when they grow up, they will not conflict with their crowns and roots.
• The root collar of the seedling always remains above the surface, otherwise it will certainly take root higher, losing all the original properties of the rootstock.
• They place the tree in a hole, holding it by the trunk, cover it with earth, and tamp it down with their hands. A small bank of soil is poured around the perimeter, 25-35 liters of water are poured into it and the surface is mulched with humus or sawdust.

Disembarkation dates

Planting trees of this variety in the spring or in the fall is a personal matter for the gardener, but it is worth understanding that in colder regions the tree may not have time to adapt to new conditions before the onset of cold weather, if it is less than 3-4 weeks away. Therefore, spring plantings are more preferable there. Trees with a closed root system are moved to a designated place in the garden at any time during the growing season.

Protection from frost and rodents

Despite the special endurance of trees, it is still impossible to forget about protecting them from frost. You can lay mats of grass, sheaves of straw on the root zone, or simply rake up a pile of soil. It is customary to wrap trunks in burlap, agrofibre or other suitable materials. Only dwarf subspecies of trees lend themselves to the tent method of covering, because it is difficult to imagine a 5-6-meter structure covered with a tarpaulin, and the weight of the covering material itself may be excessive for the crown.

To protect trees from those hungry rodents that come closer to human habitation in winter and eat young bark and shoots, lubricating the trunks to a height of about 1-1.3 meters with ordinary rendered fat of animal origin (lard) will help. Whitewashing the trunks with lime will save you from insects; this will drive them away from chips and cracks in the bark.

Tree care

Loosening the soil, watering: proper agricultural technology

All plants love when the soil is saturated with oxygen, and Lungwort is no exception to the rule. Therefore, they dig up the area near the trunk at least once, but preferably twice a year, in early spring and late autumn. You can cultivate the soil with a regular hoe more often, about 3-4 times during the growing season. Be sure to remove weeds from under the tree, cut off root shoots, and promptly clear the area of ​​fallen leaves or rotting fruits.

You will have to water the tree frequently after planting. It is best to monitor the dryness of the top layer of soil; as soon as it is completely dry, you need to add about 10-15 water. If precipitation occurs, watering is postponed until the soil dries out again. In the future, you can water once every ten days, and even then in years of extreme heat and drought. In normal mode, an adult trunk will need 5-7 waterings per season, along with which additional feeding and fertilizers are added.

Pruning: simple crown formation

The variety has very weak shoot formation, although the annual growth is significant and it is considered fast-growing. Formative pruning is usually carried out in the nursery in the first year, and then only in the 2-3rd year. The optimal choice would be cup-shaped or sparsely-tiered, so it will be much easier to care for and harvest. But here the choice is only up to the owner; the tree itself is very susceptible to various manipulations.

Mandatory maintenance measures also include sanitary pruning. At the same time, all dry or diseased branches, as well as damaged or broken ones, are cut off. All wounds must be treated with garden pitch or any other suitable material available at hand, even an ordinary swamp.