Apple Tree Service

malus

A highly cultivated tree growing medium to fast and generally maturing to a round crown of 35′ X 25′. Prefer moist loam soils but tolerate alkaline, clay, dry and a bit of salt fairly well. Very showy spring flowers and edible fruit make this an attractive planting choice. There are many many cultivars of apple available. So many that we will discuss only edible apples here. See Crabapples for non-fruiting or flower specialty varieties.

Common Problems

Environmental

Structure pruning is very important from early on and should be done according to what the trees purpose will be. If the apple will be harvested the tree should be pruned to reduce height and encourage thick limbs in order to make picking practical and allow the trees architecture to support the heavy fruit. Prone to sucker sprouting at base and in the root zone of trees. Sunscald is common on newly transplanted trees, wrap trunks for 2-3 years.

Diseases

Fireblight, Powdery Mildew and some other fungus problems are common with these trees. Plant Resistant varieties available from most nurseries. Control through pruning and/or chemical applications is often recommended. Apple Rusts do occur with Hawthorn and Juniper as the alternate hosts but it is an uncommon occurrence.

Pests

Aphids and Wooly Aphids are a regular nuisance with these trees. The fruit is prone to Codling Moth which is very common and controlled with a pesticide treatment in the Spring.

Cultivars

Many are available: You can check them out at Creekside Nursery

History and Use

Apples have been hybridized over many thousands of years from an almost inedible small fruit into the many varieties we enjoy today. The wood is excellent for burning and if you can find a straight solid trunk it is a beautiful furniture grade lumber. Also used for wood turning.