General Apple tree information:

Apple trees will start to produce fruit between its second to fifth year depending on rootstock. (Please refer to rootstock tab).

Fruit will produce on either tips or spurs. Some varieties produces fruit on both. (Please refer to description above).

Fruit is ripe when the shaded side turns from green to a greeny/yellow colour.

The later the Apple trees fruit ripens, the longer the storage life.

Planting:

Apple trees perform best in temperate areas. Most varieties need plenty of winter chill, but there are low chill varieties available for warmer climates. (Check out description above).

Apple trees like planting sites that are sunny, and sheltered. Soil preferences depends on rootstocks. (Please refer to rootstock tab).

General Care:

Water Apples well during early planting stages, long dry periods and when fruit is developing.

Some Apple varieties require a spray program to control pests and diseases that affect the tree, leaves and fruit.

To ensure large apples each year and prevent biennial bearing, thin apple bunches by half.

Pruning and Training:

Best to prune Apple trees in late winter so cuts heal faster with spring flush. To minimise disease entering tree, paint cuts with pruning paste.

• Spur bearing: Reduce growth made the year before, by a third. Cut just after a good strong bud, that points in the direction you want the new branch to go.
• Tip bearing: All of last years growth on main shoots should be pruned off to the first/second strong and healthy bud. (Unless new shoots are less than 12 inches long).

Prune into a modified central leader or vase shaped tree, or espailer against a wall or fence in triple horizontal cordon, candelarra or double-U shape.