Columnar Apple Tree Ballerina Polka - Malus domestica

The  Ballerina 'Polka' Columnar Apple Tree  is a vigorous variety of columnar apple tree that is space-saving. Highly decorative, it has exceptional flowering. This apple tree suits orchards, small gardens, hedges, terraces, pergolas... It produces large, tapered fruits, red or even orange. The flesh is sweet, juicy and slightly acidic. Harvest occurs in mid-September, and the fruits can be stored until November. The Ballerina® 'Polka' Columnar Apple Tree is not self-fertile.

The apple tree is native to Europe, including France, where its presence has been documented since antiquity. The Ballerina 'Polka' Columnar Apple Tree is a variety that originated from a natural mutation of the McIntosh apple tree, resulting in a columnar habit in 1969. This interesting characteristic led breeders to crossbreed this tree with varieties such as 'Golden Delicious' and 'Greensleeves' to improve its taste. Four hybrids, including the Ballerina® 'Polka' Columnar Apple Tree, were born from these efforts.

The columnar habit, taller than wide, allows for significant space-saving in small gardens and enables this variety to be grown in large pots on a terrace, for example. This tree does not require maintenance pruning. Its foliage consists of huge, ovate, slightly hairy leaves with dark green on top and whitish green underneath, with deeply toothed edges.
Its exceptionally abundant pale pink flowering occurs in late March. The flowering is not affected by frost, making the apple tree suitable for cultivation in all areas. Self-sterile apple trees that flower simultaneously are necessary for pollination. The  Ballerina 'Maypole' Columnar Apple Tree will be the best pollinator for the other three hybrids.
Fruit production begins in mid-September. The large, tapered fruits are red or even orange. The flesh is sweet, juicy, and slightly acidic.

These apples are particularly suitable for making pastries. They can also be consumed in compotes, jams, fresh jellies, and savoury dishes paired with cheese.