A Guide To Looking After Apple Trees

Apple tree ownership is a great pleasure that can bring years of delicious dividends. However, as with all things living, it must be looked after and taken care of so that it will grow, bear, and thrive for a healthy long life. In this guide, we will walk you through the essentials of apple tree care, from planting to harvest and all the in-betweens.

Location

The very first important step toward your apple tree’s prosperity is selecting the proper location. Apple trees adore direct sunlight and will thrive in six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Soil must be well-draining yet moisture-retentive and softly acidic to slightly neutral in soil pH, between 6.0 and 7.0. Test the soil prior to planting to determine whether it will need to be supplemented. Most apple varieties also require cross-pollination, and thus two or more similar varieties must be planted within 50 feet of one another to fruit well.

Planting

Good planting is the key to a healthy-fed apple tree. Dig a trench twice as wide but the same depth as the root ball. Plant the tree into it with the graft union (delineated bump on bottom trunk) 2-3 inches from soil level in order to discourage scion rooting (when the part of a grafted tree above the graft union develops roots). Backfill with original soil, compact very lightly to drive out air pockets, and thoroughly water. Mulch bottom to 2-3 inch depth, but keep several inches clear around the trunk to avoid rot and rodents.

Hydration

Watering probably will be the most critical aspect of apple tree care, especially within the initial year or so. New trees benefit from constant wetness so their roots grow in depth and thickness. Water every week when actively growing, accounting for rainfall. On older trees, less-frequent but more abundant watering is preferred to regular shallow watering. Even adult trees like supplemental watering in dry weather, particularly for the ripening of fruits.

Fertility of soil

Tree maturity and soil fertility control fertilisation needs. Young trees may benefit from a balanced fertiliser during early spring, before buds start. Mature trees can handle nitrogen fertilisers, but over fertilising will promote vegetative development at the expense of fruit production, so take care to use recommended application rates. Organic options such as compost, aged manure, or slow-release fruit tree fertilisers applied in the growing season are options.

Pruning

Pruning is an art and a science and can have a great impact on tree health and fruit quality. Late winter, when the trees are still dormant, is the primary pruning season for apple trees. The central leader system, in which a central vertical trunk is supported by tiers of lateral branches, is the ideal system for home orchards. Remove interfering, diseased, or damaged branches first, then thin for improved air circulation and sunlight penetration. Heading cuts (cutting off part of a branch) stimulate branching, and thinning cuts (cutting out entire branches) remove density. Pruning in the early years will determine the tree structure; in mature trees, maintenance pruning maintains an open canopy and ease of harvest.

Pest Control

Pest and disease control involves monitoring and taking action when the first signs of trouble are seen. Apple trees are bothered by insect pests like aphids, codling moths, and apple maggots, and are badly damaged by diseases like apple scab, fire blight, and powdery mildew. Integrated pest management uses cultural, physical, and chemical controls as and when required. Strategies involve proper hygiene by removing dropped fruits and leaves, physical barriers such as fruit bags and tree guards, introduction of beneficial insects, and spraying synthetic or organic pesticides as needed. Periodic inspection of your tree enables early detection and intervention with less damage.

Thinning

Fruit thinning (a task often neglected), is extremely crucial in producing quality apples. It prevents limb breakage from excessive load, improves fruit size and quality, and encourages the tree’s natural biennial bearing habit. Hand thinning is the most practical means for home orchards, where defective or damaged fruits can be selectively removed.

To be able to pick your apples when they are at their most ripe is the reward for all your hard work and care. Maturity varies by variety but usually includes; readiness to part from the branch, colour break, firmness, and taste. Harvest by twisting the fruit and easing it off gently rather than pulling to avoid damaging the fruiting spurs. Early cultivars are ripe in late summer, but late cultivars may not be ripe until fall. Proper storage in cool, damp conditions can extend your apple enjoyment for months after harvest.