Cross-Pollination - Once you have narrowed down your choices, it is important to consider which varieties will pollinate one another effectively. It will not matter how well adapted your trees are to the climate; if you do not choose varieties which can pollinate one another, you won't get any apples. If you only have room for one tree, just make sure that the neighboring apple or crab apple tree (80 feet away or less) could pollinate yours if it is compatible. Or, plant one of the varieties that is self-pollinating, such as Golden Delicious, Jonathan or Yellow Transplant. (Keep in mind, however, even these varieties will produce a more abundant crop if they are cross-pollinated!)
Proper Pruning - Early pruning is key in developing a tree that is structurally able to carry the weight of many apples and that has the openness to allow sunlight to reach as many leaves as possible. The trick is to achieve these goals with as little pruning as possible. The best growth pattern for an apple tree is the central leader. When you buy a new apple tree, it will look like an unpromising stick, probably with some twigs poking out from its sides. Don't let your fledgling tree's appearance discourage you. As it grows and puts out new and vigorous branches, you can select the best limbs to provide the initial scaffold (limb that grows directly out of the trunk). There are certain growth patterns you should watch for when you do your dormant season pruning. Cut any drooping branches back and remove any small branches that grow downward. Fruit growing on these branches would be shaded and thus tiny and unevenly colored.
Nutrients - Like most fruit trees, apples need nitrogen. But they can easily get too much of a good thing, so fertilizing them can be tricky. Apple trees should put on anywhere from 8 to 12 inches of new shoot growth a year, so if your tree is putting on less than 6 inches in a year, you should add more nitrogen to the soil in the early spring. However, if your tree gets too much nitrogen, it will grow more than 14 inches in a season. As a result, fruit will be oversized and mealy in texture. Other nutrients which play an important role in the quality of your apples include calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese and boron.
Monitoring and Treatment - Like all living things, apples have their share of challenges. Some apple diseases and pests are difficult to treat, simply because so many people grow apple trees and there are so many trees that do not receive proper care. These can serve as reservoirs for pests and pathogens, making the fight to have clean, worm-free fruit and healthy trees that much harder for the conscientious organic gardener. Fortunately, recent developments in breeding resistant varieties and in creating organic materials have made it much easier to successfully harvest homegrown apples.
If you have the idea that apple trees are temperamental and that their upkeep is beyond your gardening skills, take heart and consider dwarf apple trees. A professional arborist skilled in apple tree care can also help you keep your trees healthy.
