By David W. Lockwood
University of Georgia
Volume XXVIII |
You can grow apples in most of Georgia, though the best varieties will differ within the state. Local growers, gardeners or nurseries, or your county University of Georgia Extension Service office, can tell you the best variety for your yard.
Varieties with disease resistance are best.
Size and spacing important considerations
The size of a mature apple tree depends on several factors, including variety and rootstock. Varieties such as spur Arkansas Black or spur- type Red Delicious tend to be compact trees, while Mutsu (Crispin) and Jonagold are quite vigorous.
Within the same variety, the rootstock can vary the size from full size to "semidwarf" (half to three-quarter size) to "dwarf" (25 percent to 40 percent of full size).
Whatever you plant, most apple trees need to be cross- pollinated by a different variety. So unless you already have apple trees within about 50 feet, plant at least three varieties to make sure you get good cross- pollination.
Consider yield
You may be tempted to plant several trees when just a few may yield more apples than you'll need. With good care and accommodating weather, a mature dwarf tree can easily produce more than a bushel of apples. A semidwarf tree can produce 3 to 5 bushels, and a standard-size tree can yield more than 10 bushels.
Dwarf trees start to bear fruit earlier than either semidwarf or standard trees. The fruit quality will be better, too, and more uniform throughout the tree. Tree support and irrigation, though, are essential for dwarf trees.
Site selection and purchasing
Selecting a good site to plant apple trees is crucial to their success. Frost damage and disease pressure is greater in low areas. Apple trees need full sun to do their best.
The soil should be deep (at least 24 to 30 inches of rooting depth), well-drained and moderately fertile. Avoid drought-prone areas.
Buy trees from a reputable nursery. There are several excellent nurseries in the Southeast, but trees don't need to be locally grown to be adaptable to Georgia growing conditions.
Planting considerations
Before planting, protect the tree's root system from freezing, overheating or drying out. The best time to plant bare-root fruit trees is late winter to early spring, several weeks before it will start growing.
Dig a hole deep enough to allow the tree to be set as deep or slightly deeper than it was in the nursery. The bud union, which separates the variety from the rootstock, should be 1 to 2 inches above the ground.
Prune long roots so they will fit in the hole instead of bending them to fit. Don't put any fertilizer in the planting hole. This could burn the roots.
Cover the root system with soil, working the soil around and under the roots to avoid leaving air pockets. Water the tree well, and then fill the hole to a point slightly higher than the surrounding ground.
Prune new trees when you plant them. The ideal tree to buy is a whip 4 to 6 feet tall. Bigger trees aren't better trees. After you plant it, cut the tree off 6 to 8 inches above the height you want for the bottom limbs -- usually about 2 feet above the ground.
Depending on the variety and rootstock, a dwarf tree may produce its first crop in the second or third year after you plant it. A semidwarf tree should begin bearing within three to four years. A standard tree may not bear any fruit for its first five to seven years.
You can get more information on fruit tree care at your county UGA Extension office.
