Planting Apple Trees

There is a great deal of “appeal”, if you’ll pardon the pun, in planting apple trees in your own yard.  The ability to control the pesticides and insecticides used, as well as the ability to pick and have ample fruit to preserve and cook at will is a great draw.

For those who have the space for planting apple trees, the rewards can be great.  There is quite a bit to know about growing fruit trees that can mean the difference between success and failure.  The tree will most certainly grow, but if it is fruit that is desired from the tree, a little bit of knowledge will be needed.

When planting apple trees, it is necessary to plant more than one to achieve the highest fruit yields.  Some trees cannot produce fruit unless it is pollinated from another apple tree; others can produce fruit but more apples will be realized if other pollinating trees are present.  The types of apples grown on a tree are not affected by the pollinating apple trees, which do not need to be of the same variety.  For example, a Macintosh apple tree will still produce Macintosh apples even though it was pollinated with a Granny Smith.  Other trees such as Northern Spy and Jonagold, produce sterile pollen, and are therefore unable to pollinate neighboring trees.  And there are a few varieties, such as Macoun and Rome apple trees that have specific requirements for what tree varieties with which they will pollinate.  Doing your research before planting apple trees will save a great deal of work and frustration down the road.