How do you plant an apple tree?
Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root system and 2 feet deep. Place some of the loose soil back into the hole and loosen the soil on sides of the planting hole so roots can easily grow. Spread the apple tree roots, making sure they are not crowded or twisted.
How long does it take for an apple tree to produce its first fruit?
Dwarf apple trees will start bearing fruit 2 to 3 years after planting. Standard size trees can take up to 8 years to bear fruit. Some varieties are more susceptible to insect and disease damage than others. Prune annually to keep apple trees healthy and productive.
Where do apple trees grow best?
Apple trees thrive when growing in a location that receives full sun and has a well-drained, fertile soil. Full sun translates to at least six- to eight-hours of sunlight during the growing season.
Do you need to plant 2 apple trees?
Unless you plant a self-pollinating apple tree, you need at least two trees for proper pollination. The trees should be different cultivars that flower at the same time.
How long does it take for an apple tree to grow?
Standard or full-sized trees can grow up to 30 feet tall and can take six years to bear their first fruit. Semi-dwarf and dwarf apple trees can grow from 6 to 20 feet tall and produce full-sized apples in about three years.
Do apple trees need full sun?
As with most fruit, apple trees produce best when grown in full sun, which means six or more hours of direct summer sunlight daily. Apple trees need well-drained soil, but should be able to retain some moisture. Light- to medium-texured soils are best.
Is it hard to grow apples?
Sadly, fruit trees also have a down side because they experience pest and disease problems, poor production, and nutrient deficiencies. And growing apple trees is notoriously difficult. When growing apple trees, there are so many potential problems to contend with. Homegrown apples can be wormy, bitter and unappealing.
How much space does an apple tree need?
Plant apple trees 20 to 25 feet apart from one another. While some cultivars are self-fruitful, most require cross-pollination between two different varieties that bloom at the same time. Make it easy for the bees who help to give you those delicious, crisp apples and space them no farther than 100 feet apart.
How many apple trees should I plant?
Apples are self-unfruitful. Plant at least two different apple tree varieties within 50 feet of one another for a good fruit set. Some apple varieties, such as Golden Delicious, will produce a crop without cross-pollination from a second variety.
How much water do apple trees need?
Apple tree water requirements depend on rainfall. In general, for an established tree, you won’t need to water it unless you are not getting much rain or there is a particularly dry spell or even drought. About an inch (2.5 cm.) or so of rainfall every week to ten days is adequate for most apple trees.
Do you need a male and female apple tree?
Like all fruit trees, apples need to be pollinated if they are to set fruit. This involves the transfer of pollen from the stamen (the male part of the flower) to the stigma (the female part).
How can you tell if a apple tree is male or female?
Will a single apple tree produce fruit?
One tree is not enough To set fruit, the vast majority of apple trees require a different variety grown nearby for pollination. While some apple varieties are self-pollinating, even they produce more fruit with another variety nearby.
What is the lifespan of an apple tree?
For instance, standard apple and pear trees can easily live for over 50 years, whereas dwarf and semi-dwarf trees may only live for 15-25 years. Dwarf and semi-dwarf trees tend to reach bearing age sooner, which can benefit the home gardener, but they will also reach the end of their productive life sooner.
Do apple trees grow fast?
At standard size, they fruit within 6 to 10 years. The Gravenstein apple tree is a must-have for apple growers in a hurry. Among the largest apple trees, they can produce large quantities of apples within 2 to 5 years of planting and grow well in almost all hardiness zones.
