INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLE TREE

 

Its wide spread is caused partly because apple tree is very flexible and resilient. It can give fruits even in temperatures below -22 °F (-30 °C). Nowadays, apple trees are cultivated in diverse climate conditions, ranging from the cold of Canada to the tropical climate of Africa. Consequently, the apple trees do not always need optimum conditions in order to thrive. The trees are popular for adapting to their local conditions and yield some fruits despite difficulties, provided the selection of variety is done rationally. About half of world apple production takes place in China, but apple trees are also cultivated in Australia, North and South America, North Africa and Japan. In United States, apple trees are grown commercially mainly in Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, California, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio and Idaho.

Apple tree (Malus pumila) is a member of Rosaceae family. It is a deciduous tree (it loses its leaves seasonally). It reaches an average height of 16 feet (5 meters). Standard apple trees can reach a height of 25-35 feet (7,5 – 10 m) or even more. Semi dwarf and dwarf trees reach a height of 6-20 feet (2-6 m). The blossoms are produced in spring. The fruits mature on shoots that are 2 or more years old. They mature in late summer or autumn depending on the variety. There are more than 7000 known cultivars.

The average apple tree is able to produce notable quantity of fruits from the 3rd to 6th year of its age and can continue to do so until the 35th-50th year of its age.

Nearly all apple trees are not self-pollinating. This means that if there isn’t any other apple tree close (80 feet or 25 m) to your backyard, you may have to plant at least 2 trees of different varieties in order to harvest fruits.