Apple tree
Malus domestica · Rosaceae
📷 W.carter · CC0
⚠️ Pour chiens et chats, la chair mûre est sans danger. Tiges, feuilles et pépins mâchés contiennent des glycosides cyanogènes ; le risque concerne surtout une ingestion importante.
The gardener's calendar
It's peak harvest for apple tree: pick regularly and at the right stage to boost production and extend the season.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- April to May, white or pink flowers
- Adult size
- Up to 5 m in height depending on variety and rootstock
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20°C
- Origin
- Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan)
- Soil type
- Fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
- Exposure
- Full sun (minimum 6 hours per day)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Apple trees need winter chill to flower properly (minimum 200 hours below 7°C). Keep them away from any heat source in winter.
The common mistake
Pruning apple trees too severely thinking you'll rejuvenate them: you'll get vigorous branches with no flowers for 2-3 years.
The pro's trick
Bend young branches (at 45°) before flowering rather than cutting them.
Care
Exposure
Plant your apple tree in full sun for optimal fruiting. At least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day promote fruit formation and enhance their flavor. Insufficient light will reduce your harvest and increase the risk of fungal diseases.
Soil and planting
The apple tree prefers fertile, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. Enrich the soil with mature compost when planting. Avoid waterlogged or compacted areas that encourage root diseases. Good drainage is essential for the tree's longevity.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to establish roots well. After that, moderate watering is sufficient, except during prolonged droughts or when fruits are forming. Keep the soil moist but never waterlogged.
Pruning and fruiting
Prune in winter (February-March) to open up the canopy, remove dead branches, and structure the tree. Apple trees produce on 2 to 3-year-old shoots; excessive pruning delays fruiting. To promote fruiting, you may need a second variety to act as a pollinator.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring, before flowering. Well-decomposed manure compost added in autumn naturally enriches the soil. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of fruiting.
Common diseases and pests
Apple trees can be affected by powdery mildew, scab, and aphids. Promote air circulation through regular pruning and remove diseased leaves. Curative treatment with sulfur or copper may be necessary if infection occurs, respecting application periods.
Did you know?
The apple is the oldest fruit cultivated by humans after the fig. Archaeological evidence in Central Asia dates back over 4,000 years. According to legend, it was an apple that inspired Newton to formulate the theory of gravity in 1665, though this is probably a charming apocryphal tale!
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.