Urban Apple® Tangy Green™ Columnar Apple Tree

Name: Urban Apple® Tangy Green™ Columnar Apple Tree
Brand: Nature Hills Nursery
SKU: 13598
Price: 111.22 USD
Availability: InStock

Malus x 'AK-98'

Nature Hills Nursery

$111²²

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In Stock

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

#2 Container 1-2 Feet

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Give this tree a spot receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to ensure the fruit ripens fully and develops its signature tart flavor. While it can survive in partial shade, you will likely see significantly fewer apples and weaker overall growth.
Soil: Plant in soil that drains well, as standing water can quickly lead to root rot issues. If you are dealing with heavy clay, amend the planting site with compost or plant in a raised mound to ensure water moves freely away from the roots.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, especially during the first year while the root system establishes itself. Once established, these trees have some drought tolerance, though inconsistent watering during the fruiting season can cause fruit to drop prematurely or result in smaller apples. Applying a layer of organic mulch around the base helps retain necessary moisture and keeps roots cool.

Pruning Tips

Prune in late winter while the tree is still dormant to minimize the risk of disease transmission and see the structure clearly. Because this variety naturally grows in a tight, narrow column, you typically only need to trim back side branches that extend beyond your desired width to maintain its sleek shape. Think of it like a quick trim to keep the edges tidy, ensuring you leave the fruiting spurs intact for the coming season.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a formula specific for fruit trees in early spring just as new green growth begins to emerge. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the growing season, as this pushes soft new growth that will not harden off in time for winter and is prone to cold damage.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Ok. We'll admit it. It looks a little weird. Apples growing along the limbs of a tree that is only 2-3 feet wide? But once you see it… and then taste it… you'll see how ingenious the new Urban Apple® Tangy Green™ Columnar Apple Tree (Malus x 'AK-98') really is!

Tangy Green™ is the modern solution to having normal-sized Apples in smaller urban gardens, on balconies, and in sunny container gardens anywhere! Staying short and only 2-3 feet wide, Tangy Green™ gives huge Apple yields in a small-footprint sized space. This makes it perfect for containers and tight-squeezes. The green-skinned fruit is produced on fruit spurs that hug the main leader closely. First developed in Czech Republic, Urban Apples® have been a revolution in at-home fruit growing!

You'll have romantic, fragrant white Apple blossoms in the spring followed by full-sized tart green baking Apples in the fall, so plant these petite trees where you can enjoy the flowers and fruit easily! Tangy Green™ will grow and set fruit the first year you plant it and only have higher yields year after year! For the best crops, a pollinator tree is needed so plant Tangy Green™ with one of its sisters Tasty Red™ or Blushing Delight™. You'll double the yield and double the fun!

Planting and Application:

Urban Apples® and their pollinators look amazing planted in twin pots around your seating areas, flanking the entrance of a garden path or anchoring a garden bed. The formal effect combined with the fragrant blossoms and green fruit will be conversation starters!

Take your edible landscaping to the next level! Especially a pair of sentries standing on either side of your front door entry! Or mark the entrance to a garden path with potted or in-ground Columnar Apple Trees on either side! Create a striking front garden berm with Tangy Green™ acting as a unique punctuation mark among the formal garden beds. Curb appeal will follow close behind.

What a chic and modern looking Victory Garden you'll create with a row of these space-saving gems lining the main walk, surrounded by veggies and herbs that will appreciate not being shaded out by a larger tree! Balcony or Rooftop gardeners rejoice as any sunny spot can now grow Columnar Apples!

Container gardeners, porch and patios in planters, or in the ground in that sunny but skinny patch of ground that runs along the side of your home leading to the back yard. It's hard to believe but totally true! You can grow space-saving columnar fruit in any sized garden, even on your balcony or rooftop garden!

Bright Yellowish-Green Fruit
Stays Columnar & Lush Foliage
Fragrant White Spring Flowers
Great In Containers & Small-Space Gardening
Full-Sized Tart Baking Apple

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Easy-to-grow, columnar Apple Trees need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day for optimal flowering and fruiting. Plant Apple Trees like Tangy Green™ and its pollinator tree in a well-drained location or container with good drainage and ample room for its roots. Provide these fruiting trees with regular moisture access and fertility, plus a 3-4 inch deep layer of arborist bark chips. Provide container-grown Apples with a protected winter location in colder growing regions of USDA planting zones 4 to 9, and stake your tree to support its straight growth.

Full Sun
Well-Drained Enriched Soil
Appreciates Mulched Beds
Regular Moisture & Fertility
Very Low-Maintenance - Little to No Pruning!

Embrace the weird! Grow full-sized Apples in any sized garden - even on your balcony - with the new Urban Apples® series of Tangy Green™ Columnar Apple Trees - Now available at NatureHills.com!

Botanical Name

Malus x 'AK-98'
Class
- Magnoliopsida
Species

x
Cultivar

AK-98
Growing Zones

4-9
Height

8-10 ft
Width

2-3 ft
Sunlight
- Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- White
Leaf Color
- Green
Fall Color

Yellow
Native

Yes
Fragrant

Yes
Bloom Period

Late Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR, WA

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Growing Zones 4-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is the Urban Apple® Tangy Green™ Columnar Apple Tree suitable for?

The Urban Apple® Tangy Green™ Columnar Apple Tree is hardy in USDA zones 4-8. This compact variety thrives in most temperate climates and can handle cold winters down to -30°F. Plant in full sun for best fruit production and pair with a pollinator for optimal yields.

What is the mature height and width of the Tangy Green™ Columnar Apple Tree?

The Tangy Green™ Columnar Apple Tree stays compact at just 2-3 feet wide while reaching standard apple tree height. This narrow profile makes it perfect for containers, small gardens, and tight spaces. For best fruit production, plant with a pollinator like Tasty Red™, available at naturehills.com.

What type of soil and sun exposure does the Tangy Green™ Urban Apple require?

Tangy Green™ Urban Apple thrives in full sun with well-draining soil. Like most apple varieties, it needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal fruit production. Plant in fertile, slightly acidic to neutral soil with good drainage to prevent root rot.

How do I prune and care for the Urban Apple® Tangy Green™ tree to maintain its columnar shape?

Columnar apples naturally maintain their narrow 2-3 foot width with minimal pruning needed. Remove any horizontal branches that grow outward from the main leader, and lightly prune fruit spurs in late winter. Focus on thinning crowded areas rather than heavy cutting to preserve the tree's natural columnar form.

When does the Tangy Green™ apple ripen, and what does the fruit taste like?

Tangy Green™ apples ripen in fall with a tart, green-skinned flavor perfect for baking. The full-sized fruit develops on spurs close to the main trunk, producing crops starting the first year after planting. For best yields, plant with a pollinator like Tasty Red™, available at naturehills.com.

Can I grow the Tangy Green™ Columnar Apple in containers or on a balcony?

The Urban Apple® Tangy Green™ is specifically designed for container growing and balconies, staying only 2-3 feet wide. It produces full-sized apples even in tight spaces and will fruit in its first year. Plant with Tasty Red™ or Blushing Delight™ nearby for best yields.

What shipping options and planting schedules are available for this apple tree?

Urban Apple trees ship based on your local planting season and climate zone. Spring shipping typically occurs March through May, while fall shipping runs September through November. Check your specific zone's recommended planting window and order 2-3 weeks in advance for optimal timing.