Apple Trees

Interesting facts about apple trees:

• Apple trees have been around for a very long time. Originally found in central Asia there is archaeological evidence to suggest that they have been around since at least 6500 BC.
• Pomology is the name given to the science of growing apples. Someone who studies the cultivation of fruits such as apples is called a Pomologist.
• 25% of the total volume of apples is made of air. This is why apples float in water.

Apples have been popular in the UK for hundreds of years. In fact the first known mention of them in the UK was by King Alfred in his translation of ‘Gregory’s Pastoral Care’ all the way back in 885 AD. After the Norman conquest new and improved varieties were introduced from France. Orchards were developed in monasteries and new varieties were raised using cross-pollination. They have remained popular throughout the last few centuries with new species consistently being introduced in the UK. It was only in the 1990s that the incredibly popular Gala and Braeburn varieties were introduced to the UK market from New Zealand.

What are the advantages and benefits of growing apples?

There are many advantages to growing apples. For one thing they are known for being an easy plant to grow and maintain. Growing your own is also very cost effective. By having a fruit tree in your garden that produces bushels of apples regularly you won’t need to buy expensive fruit from shops. They are also incredibly versatile and have many uses including cooking, eating fresh and canning. There is also an incredibly wide range available with varying flavours to suit everyone. Not only do they taste great they are also packed with loads of antioxidants, which have great health benefits and disease preventing properties. They are low in calories but high in vitamin C and dietary fibre. Apple trees are also very visually appealing especially as they produce incredibly pretty blossom before they fruit. For information about how to make cider using your apples click here.

What to look for when buying an apple tree

There are a few things to think about when deciding which tree is right for your garden. Firstly you need to think about which varieties of apple you like and would potentially like to grow. You also need to consider what you will be using them for. For example are they primarily for eating fresh, using for juice or baking? Different varieties have different uses and so you should select one that most suits your needs. The next thing you need to consider is the climate in your area. Some varieties can’t thrive in certain conditions. For example if you live in the North of the UK it is worth picking an early or mid season apple as these will have a better chance of fully ripening. Another consideration to make is how big you want your tree to be when it eventually reaches maturity. Selecting the correct rootstock for your tree helps to control this. Finally, even though there are some self-fertile apple trees most will need a compatible pollinating partner of a different variety close by to ensure your tree successfully fruits.

Are there different types of apple tree?

There are over 7500 types of apples available worldwide. If you ate one every day it would still take you over two decades to try all the different varieties available. They have a ‘mother gene’ which they get from the tree that they are growing on. They also get a ‘father gene’ from pollen that has been carried by bees or other insects to the open flower bud. Consequently, every seed has its unique genetic code and is capable of growing an apple which is totally different to the one that it came from.

How easy is it to grow apples?

Apples are actually one of the easiest fruit trees to grow and are also one of the most popular. When they are established they actually require very little care and maintenance. They do need to be watered during dry spells and when the fruit appears. They also need to be fed in the early spring with a general fertiliser. Finally, they need to be pruned once a year but the timing and method varies depending on the type. For more information about how to prune your fruit tree click here. With such a wide range of apple trees available there will be a suitable for one for nearly every garden.

Does it matter where I place my apple tree?

There are certain conditions that need to be met in order for apple trees to thrive. Trees should be placed in moist soil with good drainage. They also do best when placed in a position that is sheltered from the frost and is in the full sun. They will tolerate some shade but need at least half a day’s sunshine in the growing season. They also need to be placed next to a suitable pollination partner for optimum fruit production.

Are there any disadvantages to growing apples?

Apple trees are susceptible to some forms of disease and to some pests. However, there are steps that you can take to prevent these problems from occurring in the first place and also easy ways to fix a few of the issues. One example of a common problem faced by a lot varieties of fruit tree is Apple Scab. It is a fungal disease that causes warty brown bumps to appear on the fruit and leaves. However it is easily treatable with a broad spectrum fungicide for fruit trees. Coddling Moths are an example of one of the pests that target apple trees. Small adult moths lay eggs on the fruit and the larvae burrow down and feed on the fruit inside. This is why you sometimes find maggots inside apples. This problem is also easily fixable. A winter wash should help destroy the pupae and stop them from reoccurring. You can also set pheromone traps to help capture the adult moths in the spring before they lay their eggs. So while there are some disadvantages to growing these trees the majority of issues that they face are easily fixed. For more information about issues faced by apple trees click here.