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SavATree - Tree Shrub and Lawn Care
Tree Service

Caring for Your Apple Tree

Apple Tree Types

apple tree

Spring flowers, summer shade and delicious fruit are just some of the wonderful benefits of owning an apple tree. These trees prefer dry, warm climates and moist, loamy soil. Fruit is produced by the pollination of the tree’s flowers. Because many apple trees do not self-pollinate, a variety of apple trees that bloom at the same time need to be planted to encourage self-pollination and fruit production. An apple tree will usually bear fruit in its fourth or fifth year. Fruit comes in many sizes and colors and is best eaten right off the tree.

Best Time & Location to Plant – Apple trees are best planted in late fall or early spring, in a location with wind block to help the fruit from falling off before maturity.

Size of Tree – Apple trees can grow to about 40 feet, but also come in dwarf varieties which are easier to maintain.

Apple Tree Care

Apples on tree

Apple trees unfortunately are susceptible to many insect and disease issues and require special attention. By properly controlling insects and disease, fertilizing and regularly pruning the trees you can enjoy the beauty and fruit of this tree on your landscape for years.

During the early spring and summer fungicide applications are essential to prevent disease and produce healthy, high quality fruit.

At the beginning of the growing season horticultural oils should also be used to smother scale insects and reduce over wintering populations of aphid and mite eggs.

All dead or diseased branches should be pruned, and any dried up apples, fallen leaves and plant debris should be removed away from trees.

Newly planted trees benefit from ArborKelp®, SavATree’s exclusive seaweed biostimulant which aids in tree establishment, promotes root growth and heightens stress tolerance.

Mature and established apple trees benefit from fertilizer feedings of organic-based macro and micronutrients for the nutrition necessary to sustain their health.

Pruning Apple Tree Leaves

SavATree Client

Pruning and training deciduous fruit trees are performed primarily to increase fruit production and develop a strong tree framework of optimum size and shape. Pruning is necessary to maintain tree health, vigor and productivity throughout the life of the home orchard. Benefits of pruning and training include:

  • Aid in the establishment of newly planted trees
  • Enhance early productivity
  • Increase fruit size and quality
  • Promote flower bud development throughout the tree canopy
  • Promote development of new fruiting wood needed to maintain productivity
  • Reduce the tendency for biennial bearing
  • Reduce incidence and spread of certain diseases
  • Facilitate spraying, fruit thinning and harvesting

The best time to prune apple trees is in the winter, promoting tree growth during the growing season. Apple trees that have reached desired size can be pruned in summer, hindering future growth.

Your SavATree certified arborist is equipped with the latest techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to keep your apple trees healthy, beautiful and safe. Contact us today for information on pruning or any of our other apple tree care services.

Common Problems

Apple Tree Diseases:

  • Apple scab
  • Leaf spot,
  • Rust
  • Powdery mildew
  • Fire blight

Insects:

  • Scales
  • Mites
  • Aphids
  • Apple maggot

Symptoms of Apple Tree Diseases & Pests:

  • Spots and/or holes on leaves or fruit
  • Stunted growth
  • White coating on leaves
  • Branch dieback
  • Yellowing or browning of foliage

Many of these insect and disease conditions can weaken the tree and lead to tree death if not treated. If you suspect a problem with your trees, call a SavATree certified arborist right away for an evaluation and treatment options. Our apple tree care experts can help protect your trees and keep your landscape beautiful.

Diseased photo: Apple scab-5061012 by Joseph O’Brien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

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  • "I didn't get a chance to tell you how wonderful the SavATree experience was at my home last week. As we went tree to tree that was trimmed, we admired the individual artistry and care that was applied to each tree and realized that it was 'exactly the amount' needed to be trimmed. My neighbor also raved about the professionalism of your crew, and how polite and considerate they were. Thank you!"

    Al Irizarry

    Chestnut Ridge, NY

  • "It is always my pleasure to recommend SavATree to anyone who wishes to provide the absolute best arbor care for all plant material on their property. I have worked with many different arborists, but SavATree has the finest, the most experienced highest quality arborists that I have ever come across. Their teams are made up of individuals who are always reliable, honest, conscientious, hard working, and pay attention to details. When it comes to tree pruning, take downs, vista clearing, orchard or garden maintenance, SavATree does it all, and they do it very, very well."

    Andra Smarek, Horticulturalist

    Fishkill, NY

  • "Keep up the good work! I'm extremely pleased. My lawn was terrible before you took over the job. Now it's beautiful."

    Andrea Kalan

    Bryn Mawr, PA

  • "Just a note to let you know we very satisfied with the work your company did clearing trees, pruning, and cleaning our property. My wife and I especially appreciated the ease with which you worked with us, and your cooperation, particularly when we were uncertain as to the trees that should be trimmed and how they would look when all was done. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and expertise."

    Anthony DeAngelis

    Worcester, MA

  • "Five or six years ago, I wrote you a note singing the praises of my then arborist, Richard Eaton. I was sorry to see him go…For the past several years, Brad Gurr has been our arborist. I'm very happy to tell you that Brad takes just as good care of our trees as Richard did, and he, like Richard is a gracious and generous teacher, who goes out of his way to make sure that the trees on our property are healthy and well-groomed, if one can call a tree well-groomed! Warm regards…and thanks again for creating a company that's offered us so much."

    April and Jim Benson

    Ossining, NY

  • "Efficient, high quality, professional competence -- all at a competetive sum. At first [Alison] Pottage won me over by her solid knowledge as an arborist, then the crew did their job to her specifications on our 60 to 70 foot oaks within a remarkable period of time -- and left the grounds quite clean."

    Bob Busser

    Philadelphia, PA

  • "Thank you on behalf of my kids for the great rope ride...they're still talking about it..made me proud to be a SavATree customer."

    Bob Minzesheimer

    Ossining, NY

  • "Just a quick note to thank you for helping us out these past several weeks. Your team that came to clear the fallen trees andremove the 2 White Pines was skilled, efficient and very polite. And your Stump Grinding Specialist who came in the pouring rain yesterday did an amazing job of removing those huge roots and stumps. <br><br>Most of all, Tim, we appreciate how professional you've been throughout this whole process. We appreciate your advice on the removal of our trees, your expertise on suggestions for appropriate trees to plant in the empty spaces, and your follow-up in ensuring that the job was completed in time for the new trees planted today. Cryptomeria look great! Without a doubt, we will call again and recommend you and Savatree for future needs. "

    Chester County Resident

  • "This past Saturday night about 8 P.M. during that terrible rain/wind storm, there was some excitement in my neighborhood. A huge, old, double oak tree split and came crashing down in my next door neighbor's driveway falling on their cars and also brought down the power and phone lines. The Wyckoff police were very responsive and advised my neighbors that they could not go back into their house so they stayed with me. They were very shaken and still traumatized at the wrath of Mother Nature. On Sunday, I was given Brian Brunsch's number at SavATree. He was in the Poconos for the weekend and he came back to Wyckoff to assess the damage. I must say that my neighbor did call at least 4 other places and was only able to leave messages. Brian responded right away. His crew did the best they could to shore up the rest of the tree so that my neighbors would be protected from it falling anymore. They felt reassured and safe now. On Monday morning, his crew came to finish the job and what a job it was! They did meticulous work. With the exception of the stump still remaining for insurance evaluation, it doesn't look like anything happened. A lesson that was learned is to have your trees monitored by a tree expert and SavATree is the company to call."

    Christine Schroller

    Mortgage Professionals, Inc.

    Wyckoff, NJ

  • "After four different unsatisfactory visits with so-called arborists, I found SavaTree...When I first called for a consultation for trees on my property I was most impressed with the professionalism of David and his colleagues. They were most knowledgeable, fair with their assessment about what needed to be done with the trees on my lot, yet very attuned with what my concerns and my most recent unacceptable experiences with another contractor. I highly recommend David Wesley and his crew without any hesitation. In a field where there is an abundance of folks looking to take advantage of consumers with many trees on their lot, SavaTree, David and crew strike me as incredibly honest and proud arborists which do a fantastic job. Thanks for a job well done. I look forward to continuing my relationship with SavaTree and David."

    Debbie Durkin

    Silver Spring, MD

  • "What touched me were the cooperative spirit and the energy and enthusiasm of the people at SavATree. There are so many institutions that are worthy of some kind of an altruistic spirit, and for our school to be selected for an Arbor Day activity is an honor. More then that, Steve Skyer and the people he works with spent a whole day with us. SavATree went out on a limb to plant and root a future for our school."

    Doug Fleming

    New Rochelle, NY

  • "Many, many thanks for the work you did at Updike Farm. The care you showed our fruit trees, maples, and ornamental cherries will offer them a chance to recover from years of neglect. With so many challenges facing the Society at the farm, it is reassuring to know that many of the trees have been professionally cared for."

    Gail F. Stern, Director

    Historical Society of Princeton

    Princeton, NJ

  • "Thank you for the wonderful lawn care and woodland management work you do!"

    George E. Ryan

    Old Lyme, CT

  • "Your tree crew (a father and two sons) just finished removing two trees, and pruning another on my property. They were extremely neat and professional, making sure that everything was they way they found it. I could not be more satisfied. I definitely plan on using your company for any future tree work on my property, and will also heartily recommend you to anyone I know needing your services."

    J. Andersen

    Danbury, CT

  • "I was speaking with my husband about all the workers we have had on our new landscape over the past year and a half and we are so pleased with you and your staff. I trust [SavATree's] knowledge, experience, and expertise. I also would like to thank you for always being available should an issue arise. I feel like we are in the best of hands...Thanks so much for making our property beautiful."

    J. Stauber

    Purchase, NY

  • "On behalf of the Township of Maplewood, I would like to take this opportunity to thank SavATree and especially your arborist, Lori Ann, for the wonderful care that you are giving to the Township tree. The pruning that was performed by your arborists helped provide a much safer environment for pedestrians and vehicles in an extremely busy area. The work was carried out in a most professional manner with the utmost care."

    J. Todd Lamm

    N.J. Certified Tree Expert

  • "Absolutely one of the best in the business. We had to have our front tree taken down. The crew did a terrific job in the remove process. They left the site so clean that it was hard to tell they were there; except for the missing tree. Later this year the stump will be ground out and in the spring they will be replanting a new tree. One of the best companies I have done business with in years. The customer service as well as all the employees exceed all expections. Well Done!!!!"

    James E. Sorrell

    Wethersfield, CT

  • "The only problem I ever had was of the branches that were trimmed, some remained in the tree. The crew came back and got them all out. Ann and co. are all wonderful. I love them and your company."

    Jeffrey Beale

    Salem, MA

  • "Let me say that Vassar's association with SavATree has been very positive and we are achieving great success in managing our campus trees in terms of safety and aesthetics. And our insurance carrier is quite pleased with this effort. Vassar is pleased with SavATree and the work being performed on campus."

    Jeffrey C. Horst, Vassar College

    Poughkeepsie, NY

  • "Thank you for coming to our home yesterday to give us an evaluation on some of our trees, bushes and lawn. You always educate us how to improve our landscape endeavors. We also want to let you know how pleased we are with the improvement on our lawn after just on year of service. It was looking pretty pitiful this time last year. Thanks again for coming over. We were educated about our yard and got to talk about Lacrosse (the good ole' days)."

    Jerry and Sue Fink

    Enfield, CT

  • "I am a new and highly satisfied customer of SavATree. For 50 years I have lived in the same house in the Greenhaven area, and in that time I have never had a tree company that gave me such fine service. I attribute this excellent service chiefly to my arborist, Scot Boyce. Scot has always replied promptly to my phone inquiries and given me sound advice, but today he won me for life as a SavATree customer. I asked him to come look at a Japanese maple that was shading my terrace and discuss pruning it, but when he saw how beautiful it was he advised me to move my lawn chair from time to time and leave the noble tree alone- a loss of immediate business for your company, but a long term investment in customer loyalty."

    Joan Kleinbard

    Rye, NY

  • "The Pleasantville Country Club has had the benefit of SavATree's tree care services for more than ten years. Our experience with SavATree has been a very good one. We have found the staff to be very knowledgeable in all aspects of tree and shrub care. Equally impressive has been the reliability and enthusiasm of the staff members we have dealt with through the years."

    Joe Potenza

    Pleasantville Country Club Corporation, Inc.

    Pleasantville, NY

  • "Allan Fenner came to my property in early July to review the scope of work for the project. He gave me a mental vision of what the finished product would look like in enough detail that any novice could comprehend. During the day of the pruning, he came to the site a couple of times to offer further explanation of what the tree climbers were doing at the time and what was to follow. They were all very polite and the clean-up in front and back was meticulous . They are most competent in what they do and it is quite obvious that they truly enjoy their work. The finished product was even more outstanding than I first imagined. My neighbors and I thought my back yard looked so refreshed, it looked like someone else's property! Finally, Allan's courteous follow-up by phone was most appreciated."

    Judy Bigelow

    West Hartford, CT

  • "Alan and crew did a tremendous job at our house in Windsor yesterday, Monday, Sept. 28. With great skill they removed two large trees, trimmed another tree plus doing three other smaller projects. One of the trees was a significant challenge with a split in the trunk and branches extending over busy Windsor Avenue. Alan engineered the project with with careful attention to safety. I appreciated his friendly helpful manner throughout the day and his willingness to accommodate us with an additional request. At the end of the day I asked them if they always worked this hard! They acted as if this was just a normal day for them. We have lots of pictures of the day's activity if you want them. Our thanks to them for a job well done."

    Julie Fewster

    Windsor, CT

  • "It is always a pleasure working with SavATree as your company provides the best plant, tree and lawn health care that we have experienced at the Ives. Always professional, courteous and responsive to our needs, SavATree's services have provided our employees and patrons with pleasant outdoor experiences in an insect free environment for several years. Not only are SavATree's treatments most effective but also delivered on time and with the utmost professionalism. In this business the show must go on and SavATree always ensures that it does!"

    Kathleen G. Gallagher, Executive Director

    The Charles Ives Center for the Arts

    Danbury, CT

  • "This is concerning the Certified Arborist, Thomas Marino. I have met him through SavATree. His care and concern for our home during the removal of our trees as well as his advice for future tree care has been exemplary. I look forward to working with him again in the near future."

    Katie Stratis

    The Studio

    Armonk, NY

  • "Speaking as Mayor of Briarcliff Manor, SavATree has contributed time to help protect some Hemlocks in our Law Park, which is really the showplace of our Village. They have also provided advice for the care of some of our sensitive park trees) i.e. a stand of Japanese Black Pine in a park jutting out in the Hudson River), and care of damaged trees along some of our roads. I wanted to bring this to your attention and thank SavATree for their efforts and contribution to improving the quality of life in our village. The Friends of Rockwood Park, the Rockefeller State Park and the public are indebted to SavATree for the time and effort it has contributed to rescuing these beautiful, valuable and very special trees."

    Keith Austin

    Briarcliff Manor, NY

  • "We always have a quick note of info after every treatment and even more important to us, [SavATree] always mentions our dogs. This is because we've requested no weed [treatment] on their fenced in area and [SavATree] assures us of this when such applications are made...And in addition to that, our lawn looks great! Thank you for your great service."

    Kimberly and Bruce Williams

    Cape Cod, MA

  • "I want to commend you and your associates for the great work and the great attitude shown on my job. They were on time, friendly, professional and caring about doing the job right. As I was driving around my neighborhood I noticed how many different tree companies were at work over the past several days. They ranged from guys in a pickup with a chain saw to companies with their names on lots of expensive equipment to pay for. I also took time to look at the people who were working for those companies and using the equipment. I know it is not fair to judge a book by its cover, but I could not help thinking that I could have chosen any of their names at random from the phonebook. I am so happy that I happened to choose the best - SavATree. I will not hesitate to recommend you and to your company to anyone I meet who is considering tree work. I know they will thank me."

    Lee Williams

    Wayne, PA

  • "Thank you so much for volunteering your time and talents. Sunset Lake Park looks beautiful and it's all because of you!"

    Lisa Simms

  • "For over 14 years, I have entrusted the care of my trees, plants and orchard to SavATree. Their highly qualified arborists have exacting standards and understand how to maintain the health and form of the various species of trees on my property. I admire the artistic skill that goes into the pruning and love the colorful blossoms, fruits and foliage that flourish as a result of their impeccable care."

    Martha Stewart

    Katonah, NY

  • "Thank you for making our lawn the best on our street. We have had many compliments."

    Mr. and Mrs Herbert E. Quinley

    Pawcatuck, CT

  • "Thank you for an excellent job. Your workers were very competent, very efficient, very clean- and, most of all, very polite!"

    Phyllis Kahn

    Hyannis Port, MA

  • "My wife and I are very pleased with the professionalism and expertise of the Old Brookville branch of SavATree, whom we hired to perform tree services at our home. Beginning with the initial phone contact with the office manager. She was always pleasant and professional during each of my numerous calls. [The arborist] who came to provide an assessment and initial estimate, understood the tree services we needed and was very thorough and knowledgeable. Additionally, the professionals who performed the tree services were diligent, efficient and friendly. These professionals are hard working and are excellent in performing tree services. I would not hesitate to hire SavATree again and recommend their services without reservation."

    Richard Chan

    Dix Hills, NY

  • "SavATree has worked closely with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to save and nurture trees at our historic sites. I appreciate the professionalism and dedication of SavATree's knowledgeable arborists. Thank you for the work you have done to preserve and enhance the natural landscape of our historic sites."

    Richard Moe

    National Trust for Historic Preservation

  • "I have just had my trees done. Getting to the trees on my property is very difficult because of the way the property is. I would like to thank the men that did the work for me...they worked very hard."

    S. DeVeau

    Cortlandt Manor, NY

  • "You take on a job, call it a problem, gigantic or small, and you go to it. True Professionals. I am at peace for having found SavATree. Sometimes bills are paid grudgingly. I pay with respect to a company whose pride lives up to its logo. It's love of what you do and I thank you."

    Sam Fink

    Great Neck, NY

  • "I have been very happy with SavATree's services. In particular, their Arbor Patrol program gives me peace of mind knowing that someone is regularly scouting for insect, disease and structural issues before they accelerate and threaten the health of our trees and plantings."

    Steve Wirth

    Skillman, NJ

  • I am happy with the work provided on March 26, and was especially happy with the professionalism of the crew and the crew leader's willingness to talk to me and explain and answer various questions I had.

    They were very good guys

    Al K.

    Oak Park, IL

  • "Their arborists are very knowledgeable and make appropriate recommendations to enhance the safety and beauty of our grounds. The SavATree crew pruned, and placed cables and braces in our mature sugar maples which outline our driveway to the club to preserve their life and magnificent presence. SavATree is a professional group, conscientious, on time and easy to work with."

    Timothy J. Strano

    Concord Country Club

    Concord, MA

  • "SavATree's crosscut sawing activity at Historic Hudson Valley's River Day festival at Van Cortlandt Manor was a wonderful addition to the event and a huge hit with our visitors. As always, your staff did a superb job- the skill with which they interact with the public is just extraordinary. All of us at Historic Hudson Valley are most grateful for SavATree's partnership, both as a steward of our historic landscape and as a presenter of dynamic programs that enliven our special events."

    Wadell W. Stillman

    Historic Hudson Valley, NY

  • "We appreciate the time and attention that your Arbor Patrol team takes to maintain the overall health and appearance of the trees, bushes and general grounds. As they say, you can only have one first impression and the impression the grounds make on both residents and visitors alike is always positive thanks to your caring maintenance. Just as the trees continue to grow and blossom under your care, we hope our relationship with SavATree does the same."

    William Toedter

    Southampton, NY