Garden Planner
All Plants

Apple

Malus domestica

Fruit treeDeciduousFrost HardyToxic

The cultivated apple is a deciduous fruit tree of the rose family whose size is determined mainly by the rootstock, ranging from about 2 m spindle trees to standard trees of 6–10 m. Most cultivars are not self-fertile and need a compatible pollinator flowering at the same time.

Overview

Height4–10 m
Crown diameter4–9 m
Root systemHeart-rooted
ShadeMedium shade
SunFull Sun
WaterMedium
HardinessUSDA zones 4–9

Seasons

Flowering (Central Europe)Apr, May
Harvest (Central Europe)Aug, Sep, Oct

Planting time for bare-root trees. Container trees can be planted whenever the soil is workable.

Grafted forms

FormHeightCrown diameter
Spindle bush1.8–2.4 m1.8–2.7 m
Bush tree2.4–4 m3.6–4 m
Half-standard4–6 m4–6 m
Standard6–10 m6–9 m

Typical sizes; the rootstock, variety and pruning decide the actual size.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

  • Crabapple

    Most apple cultivars need cross-pollination by another Malus flowering at the same time; selected crabapples are proven pollinizers giving high fruit set (note: crabapple is also a fire blight host).

Bad Companions

None

Shared disease: fire blight

Other hosts in the database: Pear, Quince, Rowan, Serviceberry, Crabapple. An infected tree can pass the disease on to them.

Only relations with a documented cause are listed.

Toxicity

SeverityModerately toxic
Toxic toDogs, Cats

Fruit flesh is edible. Stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides (seeds: amygdalin, about 1–4 mg/g); ASPCA lists apple as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, especially wilting leaves.

Planting Tips

LocationFull sun on a warm, sheltered site that is not prone to late frosts.
SoilFertile, freely draining soil that does not become waterlogged; weak rootstocks need permeable, humus- and nutrient-rich soil.
WateringWater young trees regularly in dry spells for the first couple of years; trees on weak rootstocks need ample water in dry summers, established trees on vigorous rootstocks usually need none.
FertilizingMulched trees in the ground usually need no extra feed; if crops are poor or deficiency appears, apply a granular fertiliser in early spring. Container trees: high-potassium liquid feed every two weeks in the growing season.

Care Tip: Small tree forms on weak rootstocks need annual pruning and a permanent stake; choose scab-resistant cultivars for low-input gardens and protect roots from voles with wire baskets.

Sources