Caring for Your Apple Tree
Apple Tree Types
Best Time & Location to Plant â 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 â Apple trees can grow to about 40 feet, but also come in dwarf varieties which are easier to maintain.
Apple Tree Care
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®, SavATreeâs 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
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.
Apple Tree Diseases:
- Apple scab
- Leaf spot,
- Rust
- Powdery mildew
- Fire blight
- 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 OâBrien, 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!"
Chestnut Ridge, NY
Andra Smarek, Horticulturalist
April and Jim Benson
Chester County Resident
Mortgage Professionals, Inc.
Silver Spring, MD
New Rochelle, NY
Gail F. Stern, Director
Historical Society of Princeton
N.J. Certified Tree Expert
James E. Sorrell
Jeffrey C. Horst, Vassar College
Jerry and Sue Fink
Pleasantville Country Club Corporation, Inc.