Apple Tree Varieties & Care Tree Varieties Craving the sweet, juicy flavor of apples picked straight from your own backyard? Growing apple trees is a fulfilling way to enjoy fresh fruit, fragrant spring blossoms, and the satisfaction of cultivating something delicious and beautiful. Whether you're a first-time gardener or a seasoned grower, this guide will walk you through the essentials of apple tree care, from planting tips to troubleshooting common issues, so you can enjoy a healthy, productive tree for years to come. Planting Your Apple Tree Planting your apple tree the right way is essential for a healthy crop and years of fresh fruit from your garden or orchard. Choose an area with full sun and well-drained soil. 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. Apple trees need space, so it’s best to plant dwarf varieties 8–10 feet apart and standard ones at least 15–18 feet. Dig a hole at least two to three times the width of the root ball and about 18 inches deep. Place the young tree in the hole with the trunk straight and the graft union above the soil line. Backfill with native soil, then water deeply. Add mulch around the base (but not touching the trunk) to retain moisture and suppress weeds. For a comprehensive step-by-step guide, learn more about how to plant a tree. To support strong limb and branch development, fertilize as needed based on your tree’s condition. Thinning fruit, especially when branches are heavily laden, helps reduce the risk of limb breakage and allows the remaining fruit to grow larger and healthier. Caring for Your Apple Tree Spring flowers, summer shade and delicious fruit are just some of the wonderful benefits of owning an apple fruit tree. These trees prefer dry 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 should 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. Apple trees are unfortunately susceptible to many insect and disease issues and require special attention. With proper tree disease treatment, fertilization, and routine pruning, 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. We also offer specific fruit treatment programs that target both fungal diseases and insects on fruit, helping ensure optimal fruit health and yield. All dead or diseased branches should be pruned, and any dried up apples, fallen leaves and plant debris should be removed away from trees. Fertilizing Your Apple Tree 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. SavATree’s ISA Certified Arborists can create a personalized fertilization plan to promote sturdy branches, healthy foliage, and high-quality fruit production, while also enhancing your apple tree’s resistance to insects and diseases. Pruning Apple Tree Leaves Pruning and training deciduous fruit trees are performed primarily to increase fruit production and develop a strong tree framework of optimum size and shape. Tree 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. Apple Tree Diseases The most common pests, diseases and their symptoms include: Apple scab Leaf spot Rust Powdery mildew Fire blight Insects Scales Mites Aphids Apple maggot Codling moth Symptoms of Apple Tree Diseases & Insects 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. Common Tree Varieties in the US Arborvitae Trees Ash Trees Birch Trees Cherry Trees Common Persimmon Trees Dogwood Trees Elm Trees Japanese Maple Trees Leyland Cypress Trees Lilac Trees Maple Trees Oak Trees Pine Trees Plum Trees Sycamore Trees White Oak Trees Willow Trees Common US Tree Varieties Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an expert arborist.