For gardens in the northern areas, plant mid or late blooming varieties such as Granny Smith, Red Rome, and Golden Delicious to avoid flower bud damage from late frost. Sites that are subject to late spring frosts, flooding, or seepage water should be avoided. A slope is a great place to consider since it allows good air movement which can prevent disease problems. Plant apple trees where they will get at least six hours of bright sunlight with a good rich soil. Semi-dwarf trees are grafted onto M7 or M26 rootstock, and will grow to about 5m to 7m (15’ to 20’). Without this dwarfing root stock many apple trees would soon become too large to manage.ĭwarf trees are grafted onto M9 or M27 rootstock, and will grow to about 30% of the size of the standard tree, about 3m to 4m (9’ to 12’). Root stocks are chosen based on their dwarfing capability.

Most fruit trees are grafted, this gives the tree benefits of both the top and the root stock. If you have limited space and aren’t sure if the local trees are going to be enough consider getting a multi-variety tree, where three to four suitable apple types are grafted onto one tree. If you live in an area where apple and crabapple trees are already growing you can rest assured that as long as they are blooming at the same time as your tree the bees will do their job and pollination will occur. Complete pollination charts are also available in store. Early season apples can pollinate mid-season apples, mid-season apples can pollinate late-season apples, but late season apples will not pollinate early apples and vice-versa. Some of the commonly available apple varieties are listed in the box below, so you can compare and make sure to get two trees with overlapping flowering periods. This enables cross-pollinate (movement of different pollen between trees). It is vital to have a different apple variety nearby which has an overlapping flowering period. This means that if you only have one tree (or two of the same tree) then you will get flowers but no apples.

Most apples with the exception of a few self-fertile varieties, cannot set fruit with their own pollen. Be sure to read your labels and ask a nursery staff for details to find the perfect tree for you. Things you need to know when choosing an apple tree: the pollination compatibility (this is especially important), taste, and storage capability. The following are hints for successful apple growing. When buying an apple tree, it is important to consider the variety, planting site and required maintenance of the tree before purchasing. Downy Mildew of Impatiens in Home GardensĪpple cultivation began back in Roman times and continues today with thousands of varieties grown worldwide.

Apple tree seedlings for sale