Columnar Apple Tree (Scarlet Sentinal)

Columnar Apple Tree (Scarlet Sentinal)

Price range: $29.99 through $59.99

Scarlet Sentinel™ gives you the apple most people want to grow—crisp, red, and balanced—on a true columnar tree that barely takes up space.

  • True columnar growth habit with an exceptionally narrow footprint
  • Crisp red apples with balanced sweet-tart flavor
  • Mid-season ripening, typically late September
  • Ideal for patios, walkways, and tight plantings
  • Reliable producer once established
Add to Wishlist
Add to Wishlist
SKU: N/A Categories: , Tag:

Description

Scarlet Sentinel™ delivers classic red-apple flavor on a tree designed for modern spaces. Its upright, columnar form fruits along the main leader rather than spreading outward, turning patios, walkways, and small gardens into productive apple plantings without sacrificing flavor.

The apples ripen in late September with a clean, balanced profile—sweet enough for fresh eating, with enough acidity to stay lively. The texture is crisp and refreshing, making Scarlet Sentinel™ an easy, everyday apple for small-space growers.

Like other true columnar apples, Scarlet Sentinel™ traces back to the McIntosh columnar mutation first identified in Canada, a genetic foundation that allows compact trees to carry real, full-sized fruit rather than novelty harvests.

Overview

  • True columnar apple with fruit borne on short spurs along the main leader
  • Exceptionally narrow growth habit suited to small spaces
  • Crisp red apples with balanced sweet-tart flavor
  • Mid-season ripening, typically late September
  • Requires a compatible apple pollination partner

Growing Details

Latin Name: Malus domestica ‘Scarlet Sentinel™’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Rootstock: 1-gallon trees on M-7; larger sizes on M-106
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4–9
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity:
• M-7: Typically 8–10 ft tall with routine pruning
• M-106: Typically 8–10 ft tall with routine pruning
Note: Columnar apples remain narrow by nature; container-grown trees stay smaller and are easily managed with pruning.
Bloom Time: Mid-season
Flowering Group: Group 3 (mid-season)
Ripening Time: Mid-season; typically late September (varies by region)
Pollination: Pollination required; plant a compatible apple variety within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Standard apple pest and disease considerations; good airflow and routine care are important

Additional Notes

  • Grower’s Insight: Scarlet Sentinel™ is often chosen for its balance—sweet enough for fresh eating, with enough acidity to stay bright—making it a versatile red apple in compact plantings.
  • Regional Insight: Performs well across temperate regions, including the Pacific Northwest, where cooler nights help preserve crisp texture and balanced flavor.
  • Regular light pruning helps maintain the narrow columnar form.
  • Well suited to in-ground planting, raised beds, and large containers.
  • Explore more apples in our collection: Apple Trees

Planting & Care

<div class=”re-care-summary”>
<h3>At a Glance – Scarlet Sentinel™ Columnar Apple</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Sun:</strong> 1/2 day to full day of sun</li>
<li><strong>Soil:</strong> Well-drained soil</li>
<li><strong>Water:</strong> Moderate; consistent during establishment</li>
<li><strong>Size:</strong> Narrow, columnar form</li>
<li><strong>Pollination:</strong> Required; plant a partner within 20–30 feet</li>
<li><strong>Harvest:</strong> Mid-season (typically late September)</li>
<li><strong>Hardiness:</strong> USDA Zone 4–9</li>
</ul>
</div>

<h2>Planting &amp; Care – Scarlet Sentinel™ Columnar Apple</h2>

<h3>Site Selection</h3>
<ul>
<li>Choose a sunny site to support spur fruiting and fruit quality.</li>
<li>Columnar apples tolerate close spacing but benefit from airflow.</li>
</ul>

<h3>Soil Preparation</h3>
<ul>
<li>Plant in well-drained soil with moderate fertility.</li>
<li>Improve drainage or plant slightly raised if soils are heavy.</li>
</ul>

<h3>Planting Instructions</h3>
<ul>
<li>Dig a hole twice the width of the root system.</li>
<li>Set the tree with the root flare at or just above soil level.</li>
<li>Backfill with native soil and water thoroughly.</li>
<li>Mulch 2–3 inches deep, keeping mulch away from the trunk.</li>
</ul>

<h3>Watering &amp; Fertilizing</h3>
<ul>
<li>Water regularly during the first 1–2 years.</li>
<li>Once established, water during extended dry periods.</li>
<li>Fertilize lightly in early spring only if growth appears weak.</li>
</ul>

<h3>Pollination</h3>
<ul>
<li>Scarlet Sentinel™ requires another apple variety for fruit set.</li>
<li>Any compatible mid-season apple within 20–30 feet will work.</li>
</ul>

<h3>Pruning &amp; Training</h3>
<ul>
<li>Maintain a single central leader to preserve columnar form.</li>
<li>Remove or shorten long side shoots as needed.</li>
<li>Manage height by heading the leader if required.</li>
</ul>

<h3>Harvest &amp; Use</h3>
<ul>
<li>Harvest when apples are fully colored and crisp.</li>
<li>Excellent for fresh eating and everyday use.</li>
</ul>

<h3>General Tips</h3>
<ul>
<li>Thin fruit in heavy-set years to improve size and consistency.</li>
<li>Regular, light pruning keeps columnar trees productive and tidy.</li>
</ul>

Related products

  • Asian Pear Tree (Hosui)

    Asian Pear Tree (Hosui)

    Price range: $39.99 through $59.99
    Add to Wishlist
    Add to Wishlist
  • Cherry Tree (Bing)

    Cherry Tree (Bing)

    Price range: $39.99 through $59.99
    Add to Wishlist
    Add to Wishlist
  • Apple Tree (Granny Smith)

    Apple Tree (Granny Smith)

    Price range: $39.99 through $59.99
    Add to Wishlist
    Add to Wishlist