In the past, people used to grow apple trees in their own orchard in their backyards or farms, where they grew different kinds of fruits. You can still find a few small apple orchard here and there, where people still grow pears and other plants.
Growing apple trees is a great hobby. Some cultivars grow an apple tree to yield fruit that can be used to make cider, so it’s a win-win. Apples are easy to grow and worthy of being your next gardening project. While you might think of apple tree planted primarily as fruit trees, they are also perfect for use as a privacy screen or as a windbreak in your backyard.
In a friendly and informative voice, growing apple trees isn’t hard, but some tricks will help you get your apple tree to produce fruit. If you want to start growing apple trees at home, this article is for you!
In This Article
Quick Facts About Apple Trees
- Scientific name: Malus domestica
- Type of plant: deciduous tree
- Native to: Kazakhstan, in central Asia east of the Caspian Sea
- Light requirement: at least 8 hours of sun per day during the growing season
- Water requirement: 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water each week
- Preferred temperature: below 90 degrees Fahrenheit
- Tree size upon maturity: 5 – 35 feet or even more
- Type of soil: well-drained, loam soils having a depth of 45 cm
- pH level: 5.5-6.5 (neutral soil ph)
- Fertilizer: Common granular 20-10-10 fertilizer
- Word meaning: a round fruit with red or green skin and a whitish inside
- Fruit Family: Rosaceae, sub-family pomoideae
- Lifespan: 50 to 80 years
- Growing Season: depends on variety, late summer through to late autumn
What exactly is an apple tree?
Apple trees are a type of deciduous tree in the rose family best known for their sweet, pomaceous fruit, which is an important food crop. They are cultivated worldwide as a food resource and a popular landscaping tree.
The apple tree was developed from the wild apple (Malus sylvestris) found growing in Central Asia. It has been cultivated for over 5,000 years, as evidenced by the discovery of seeds at Neolithic sites. The Romans were the first to plant young apple trees as an ornamental garden plant in Gaul; they spread to Britain and Ireland during the 2nd century.
Artificial selection over many centuries has produced thousands of varieties of apple fruit trees. Cultivars vary according to climate and local traditions, although taste preferences tend to differ between countries. New World varieties tend to have more starch than Old World varieties but less sugar; however, sweeter kinds are becoming more popular in all markets.
An apple tree grows on branches that reach over 15 meters (50 ft) tall and are wide enough for people to walk under them. They bear flowers with five white petals, which bloom in spring before the leaves have fully formed and mature into fruits that ripen in late summer or autumn (depending on the climate).
How does an apple fruit look like?
Apple tree fruits are usually round but can be oval or pear-shaped. They have smooth skin, and the color ranges from green to yellow to red, depending on the variety. The flesh is made up of many small cells that contain seeds and juice. Apple trees yield flowers with five petals that are white or pink in color.
These fruit trees can live for more than one hundred years and grow quite tall. They start producing fruit at about six years old, but sometimes it takes longer than this for them to begin bearing fruit.
It is important to know that there are over 7,500 varieties of apples, so you will find many different types available at your local grocery store or farmer’s market!
How to Grow Apple trees: A Complete Guide
Apple trees are often grown from seed, but the process can be unpredictable. The best way to get a good variety of apples is to buy apple trees that have already been grafted by a skilled grower.
Apple trees are generally hardy and easy to grow, but there are several things you should keep in mind when growing apple trees from seed.
Light
Fruit trees are deciduous and need a certain amount of sunlight each day to produce fruit. The amount of sunlight needed varies based on the variety of apple tree you choose to grow. Some varieties need more sun than others.
The recommended amount of sunlight is at least six hours per day, but some varieties need more than that to produce fruit. If you live in an area with cloudy days for long periods of time during summer months, then you can still grow some types of apples by providing additional light with artificial lighting such as grow lights, or even string lights hung around your trees during winter months when they are dormant.
Soil
The soil should be well-drained and fertile. Most apple trees are tolerant of a wide range of soil types but need good drainage.
Apple trees need loose, well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. They will not tolerate standing water, so make sure there’s adequate drainage before you plant trees. Your site should also be free of debris, rocks, and weeds.
Water
The water requirement for most apple trees is about one inch of water per week. In dry areas, this may be less, and in very wet areas it may be more.
The best way to tell if your tree needs watering is to look at the soil surface. If the top 2 inches of soil are dry, then watering is necessary. Do not over water!
Water deeply, but infrequently for best results. The frequency of watering will depend on your soil type and rainfall.
Temperature
Apple trees need a certain number of chill hours to thrive. Chilling hours are the number of hours between 32°F and 45°F that a tree spends in a dormant state.
This is not the same as temperature, which is usually measured in Fahrenheit. The higher the number of chill hours, the better the young tree ‘s chance to produce apples.
Fruit trees need anywhere from 300 to 800 chilling hours depending on what kind of apple you want to grow. Newly planted apple trees fall into this range, but some require more or less chilling time than others. For example, Fuji apples need around 750 chilling hours while Red Delicious apples only need 300 or 400 chilling hours.
Feeding
Bare root apple trees are heavy feeders and require regular fertilization. The most common fertilizers are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K). Nitrogen encourages the growth of leaves and fruit, phosphorus helps bare root trees grow larger, stronger, and healthier, while potassium helps plants withstand stress.
Feed growing apples trees with an all-purpose fertilizer in late winter or early spring (February to March) at the rate of 10 pounds per tree. Use a fertilizer containing 4 percent nitrogen, 1 percent phosphorus and 2 percent potassium. In late May or early June, apply another 10 pounds per tree of a balanced fertilizer containing 2 percent nitrogen, 1 percent phosphorus and 2 percent potassium.
If you have heavy clay soil or your grafted apple tree is growing on clay soils, use an organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizers because they break down more slowly in clay soils than do chemical fertilizers. Organic fertilizers contain fewer salts than chemical fertilizers so they can be safely used on acidic soils without damaging the roots of surrounding plants such as roses or rhododendrons.
Pruning
The best time to prune most trees is in the early spring before new growth begins. In the case of apple trees, you should prune trees regularly or should be done in late winter or early spring. Pruning an apple tree too early will cause it to bear fruit later than normal, and pruning too late may result in a poor crop or no fruit at all.
The first step in pruning an apple tree is to remove any broken, diseased, or dead branches from the tree. This can be done by cutting them off at the base of the trunk with pruning shears or loppers. If the branch is still green but dead, you can remove it with shears if you have enough room for the limb to fall safely away from your body and other plants in your garden.
Next, remove any suckers that have grown from your tree’s trunk or major branches. These are often located just above where a branch meets the trunk and are easy to spot because they look like miniature versions of their parent branch. Suckers produce smaller fruit than those borne on true branches and should therefore be removed as soon as they are noticed so they won’t take up space needed by more productive parts of your tree’s canopy.
Once you’ve finished removing dead wood and suckers, shape the main branches by cutting them back to strong buds. This will encourage new shoots to sprout from there, which you can train into whatever shape you want.
Thinning fruit
Thinning reduces competition between fruits for nutrients and water, which allows the remaining fruit to develop properly.
When planting apple trees, the fruits should be thinned when they are about 1/2 inch in diameter. Generally, you should remove a third of your apples each year — but if you want to keep as many apples on your tree as possible, then only remove 20 percent of your apples every year.
Storing
According to the University of Minnesota Extension, store apples at a temperature between 32 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal storage room is dark, dry and well-ventilated.
The apple variety you grow will affect how long it lasts in storage. For example, Honeycrisp apples can last up to four months in a cold basement or refrigerator, while Red Delicious apples can last up to six months.
The university also recommends that you store apples in individual plastic bags or baskets lined with newspaper instead of leaving them in boxes or bins. This preserves their fruit quality and prevents them from bruising and exposure to unwanted pests like fruit flies and moths.
You should also inspect your apples before storing them so that they don’t have any bruises or blemishes on them.
Different Apple Varieties
Apple trees are divided into five categories:
- Dwarf apple trees are the smallest, with a mature height of 10 to 15 feet. They’re great for small gardens, patios and containers.
- Semi- dwarf trees grow to about 20 feet tall and wide.
- Semi-standard apple trees reach heights of 25 to 30 feet and widths of 15 to 20 feet. They’re good choices for midsize yards.
- Standard apple grow up to 40 feet tall and 20 feet wide. They’re suitable for large yards and commercial growing operations.
- Tremendous apple trees are the largest variety of tree, reaching heights of 50 feet or more with trunks up to 5 inches in diameter.
There are about 7,500 different apple varieties. Most apple variety are best eaten fresh, but some are good for cooking and baking.
Here are a few of the most popular:
Fuji
Fuji is a cross between Gold Delicious and Ralls Janet apples that was introduced in Japan in the 1960s. It was brought to America in the mid-1980s and has been popular ever since. The flesh is firm and juicy, perfect for fresh eating with sweet flavor notes that include honeydew melon and pineapple. Its skin is yellow with a red blush. The Fuji has a long shelf life, making it ideal for grocery stores to sell all year long.
Golden Delicious
This apple is sweet, with a hint of tartness. It has a yellowish-green skin with red stripes and a juicy flesh that’s crisp but not very crunchy. Their fruit production tend to be earlier than their full-size cousins as well. This bare root tree was developed by Jesse Hiatt in Peru, Iowa, in 1914. It was named after his golden-haired daughter, Elsie.
Granny Smith
The Granny Smith is a classic green apple that was discovered in Australia in 1868. This variety is known for being tart, crisp and refreshing. It will last longer than many other varieties when stored at room temperature.
Winesap
The Winesap is a cross between the Ben Davis and the McIntosh apple varieties. It is bright red with white stripes, but it’s not as tart as the Ben Davis or McIntosh. The Winesap’s flesh is firm and juicy with an excellent flavor that makes it a favorite for baking and cooking.
Pink Lady
The Pink Lady is an apple with rich flavor, crispy texture, and a beautiful pink skin. They are sweet but not overly sweet like some other apples can be. They are also very large in size with an average weight of 1 pound per fruit!
Red Delicious Apple Tree
The Red Delicious apple tree is a sweet, juicy fruit that is great for eating out of hand. It is one of the world’s most popular apple variety and is grown in more than 50 countries. It has a bright red color and a firm texture, making it useful for cooking and eating fresh.
This tree can be grown in almost any climate where there is enough sunlight and water available. The tree is self-pollinating, which means that it does not need to be pollinated by another tree to produce fruit. This reduces the amount of labor required to grow an apple tree. Red Delicious trees are also resistant to many pests and diseases so you don’t have to worry about using pesticides on them.
McIntosh
The McIntosh apple is an apple variety that is widely grown in the United States, Canada and New Zealand. It has been cultivated since the mid-19th century, and has become one of the most popular apples in the world. Its distinctive white flesh has a mild, sweet flavor, making it a favorite for eating fresh or cooking. The skin of the McIntosh apple varies from green to red and has a rough surface texture.
Braeburn
Braeburn apples are a cross between the Gold Delicious and the Cox’s Orange Pippin varieties. The Braeburn was developed by New Zealand’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries as a result of its breeding program in 1956. The Braeburn apple has a green skin with red stripes, and tastes sweet with a hint of sourness. It can be used in salads and desserts, but it is best eaten fresh.
Bramley’s dwarf apple trees
The tree is known for its vigorous growth, heavy bearing and resistance to fire blight. Bramley’s Seedling produces medium-sized red apples with a sweet tart flavor and spicy aroma. The flesh can be somewhat mealy, but improves when cooked or made into juice. This variety is often used as a cooking apple because of its high pectin content.
How to plant apple trees?
Apples are a fruit tree, and the plant requires a lot of attention. Here is how to plant many apple trees, so that you can enjoy fresh apples in the future.
Step 1: Selecting the right variety for your climate
There are many different varieties of apples, each with their own characteristics. Some varieties grow well in hot climates, while others prefer cooler regions. If you live in an area that gets a lot of heat in summer, consider planting an early-ripening variety such as ‘Golden Delicious.’ Later ripening varieties like ‘McIntosh’ will also do well in most areas of the country if they receive enough water during the growing season.
Step 2: Preparing your site
Apples need full sun (at least 6 hours per day) and good drainage to thrive. Choose an area that isn’t very windy or prone to frost heaves, which can cause soil movement at certain times of year. If there is no space available for an apple tree on your property, consider planting it against a building or fence where it will receive some protection from the elements. Apples generally need about 20 feet of space between them for optimal growth and fruiting potential so make sure there’s plenty of room before you decide where to put them!
Step 3: Planting the tree
Planting a tree is a very rewarding experience. Once you have chosen a suitable site, dig a hole large enough to accommodate the tree’s root system while allowing for space between the trunk and the edge of the hole. It’s important to plant your tree properly because its fruit production depends on it.
The root ball should be placed in the center of the planting hole, then backfilled with soil, tamping firmly as you go along. If you are planting more than one tree, space them at least 6 feet apart so they will grow up without crowding each other. Finally, water thoroughly and mulch with compost or aged manure if possible.
Step 4: Watering trees
Watering is essential for planting apple trees! Most fruit trees need about 1 inch of water per week during their first year after planting. After that, they will only need watering from May through September when temperatures are hot and dry.
Step 5: Thinning apples
Thinning is the process of removing excess fruit from the tree to ensure that each apple receives adequate sunlight, water and nutrients. In fact, in many cases, the size of the apple will determine whether it will grow into a dwarf or full-sized tree. If you want to maintain dwarf trees, then you should thin your apple trees in May or June before the fruit begins to ripen.
Step 6: Pruning for shape
Once the tree reaches about a foot high, you’ll want to start pruning it. Pruning is a necessary part of apple tree maintenance — it keeps the tree under control and helps it develop into a healthy, productive plant.
When you first plant your apple tree, you should shape its growth by removing some of its topmost branches. This encourages branches to grow lower on the trunk and provides an open structure for sunlight to reach the fruit-bearing limbs. After that, you’ll need to prune every year or two to keep the tree healthy and productive. It’s best to do this in spring as soon as buds begin to swell; this way, new growth will be strong enough to withstand winter cold without being damaged by pruning cuts.
Step 7: harvesting apples
Apples are ready to harvest when they fall off the tree. You can also use a knife to cut the apple off the tree and put it in a bag or box.
If you want to store your apples, place them in a cool place that is not exposed to sunlight. Apples can be stored for months if they are stored correctly.
Apple Tree Growth Stages
Apple trees flower and fruit development take place in distinct stages:
Germination
This is the first stage of growing apple trees where the seeds begin to swell up as they absorb moisture from the soil line below them. This process takes about 10 days to complete after soil test time has passed for the seedlings to germinate properly before moving on to the next stage of their development cycle.
Initiation
Once the apple seeds has found a source of water and oxygen, it will begin growing shoots from its embryonic root system. These shoots will grow into branches if they find themselves in a favorable environment with plenty of water and sunlight. This stage lasts for about three months before blooming takes place.
Blooming
Apple trees begin to bloom when they are about two years old. This is when the flowers appear on the branches of the tree. The flowers are white or pinkish-white in color and have an unpleasant odor to them.
Fruiting
Apple trees produce fruit on spurs formed by the branches in late summer or early fall. These spurs have only one bud each, but they can bear fruit earlier each year if properly pruned and cared for throughout the season.
How do apple trees reproduce?
There are two types of apple tree reproduction: sexual and asexual. Sexual reproduction involves pollination and seed formation. Asexual reproduction involves cloning. Here’s a better look into how apple trees reproduce:
Sexual Apple Tree Reproduction
growing Apples reproduce sexually when pollen from one flower fertilizes the ovules in another flower (ovary). This is called pollination. The ovules develop into seeds, which can then produce new apple trees.
Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred to a pistil, or female reproductive structure, of a plant of the same species so as to effect fertilization (cross-pollination) and create seeds that produce new plants with characteristics genetically different from either parent (grass is an example of a self-pollinating plant.) Fertilization occurs when the male gametes from the pollen tube reach an ovule within a carpel’s wall via its style/stigma axis (cf. ‘anther’ for a similar flower structure).
Asexual Apple Tree Reproduction
Apple trees reproduce asexually by grafting, layering and budding. Grafting is a method of propagation in which one plant is joined to another so that they grow as one plant. A branch from the first plant is spliced onto the second plant, which then grows roots and develops into a new tree. Layering is a method of propagation in which an aerial stem of a plant is bent down to the ground and covered with soil. Buds on the buried stem will produce roots, and the new tree can be removed from the original tree once it has established itself. Budding is a method of propagation in which a bud is cut from one plant and grafted onto another.
Apple Tree Pests, Diseases and Treatment
Apple tree’s roots are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. Some can be controlled with sprays, but others are best controlled by growing resistant varieties.
Apple Maggots
Apple maggot is the most serious pest of apples in the United States. similar to codling moths Apple maggots feed on the roots of young trees, attack apples, stunting their growth and causing them to die. The larva feeds within the root crown and eventually forms a brown pupa which remains in the soil until spring when it emerges as an adult fly.
Treatment
Apple maggots or codling moths can be controlled by spraying Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) during late winter or early spring before adults emerge from pupae in order to kill larvae that are feeding inside trees.
Apple Scab
Apple scab is the most damaging disease of apples in the Pacific Northwest. It causes leaf spots on both new and old leaves that are tan to brown in color and often have concentric rings. These spots spread rapidly leading to defoliation of apples trees. Fruit may be covered by black specks which contain fungal spores. Infected fruit will be discolored, shriveled and have reduced shelf life.
Apple scab can survive over winter in the form of mycelium on fallen leaves, twigs or fruit from previous seasons. These sources of inoculum should be removed from the orchard as soon as possible after harvest.
Treatment
While there are no fungicides labeled for use against apple scab on apples, several copper fungicides can help prevent infection on crabapples and pears. However, if you use one of these products on your garden trees, follow all label instructions carefully so as not to harm beneficial insects such as bees or butterflies that may visit your garden center.
Anthracnose Leaf Blight
Anthracnose leaf blight is caused by the fungus Gloeosporium mali. This fungus produces spores that infect leaves, causing them to turn yellow and then brown or black. The spores can also cause root rot, infect flowers, stems, or fruit tree, resulting in deformity. The flowers may not open properly or have natural fruit drop if the infection occurs during bloom time.
Treatment
Spray Bordeaux mixture or lime sulfur at first sign of disease and remove infected branch tips.
Cedar Apple Rust
Cedar apple rust is a fungal disease that causes cedar and apple trees to shed their leaves prematurely. The disease is caused by Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae, an ascomycete fungus that lives on the bark of cedar and juniper trees.
There are two types of cedar apple rust: type A and type B. Type A is more common in Eastern Texas and Louisiana, while type B is more common in the Midwest and Western United States.
treatment
Avoid watering the fruit tree during wet periods; thin out dense plantings; avoid pruning during wet weather; avoid vigorous fertilization programs; remove all broken branches at once because re-infection can occur if only a few diseased branches are left on a young apple tree. You can also apply fungicides such as chlorothalonil (Daconil Gold or Topsin-M) or multipurpose fruit tree spray.
Apple Flea Beetle
Apple flea beetle is a small, destructive insect that can cause great damage to container grown tree. The beetle attacks the leaves and fruit of apples, pears, and crabapples. The beetles are about 1/8 inch long and vary in color from brown to black with a bronze sheen on their backs. They lay eggs along the veins of leaves. They can transmit fire blight disease and can vector the disease from infected fruit tree to healthy ones.
Treatment
Apple flea beetles are extremely difficult to control because they are very mobile and tend to move around a lot once they find an apple tree or crabapple tree that has fruit available for them to eat! If you have problems with these pests, it is best to use an multipurpose fruit tree spray after they have done their damage so that you kill them before they move on to another part of your property!
Fire Blight
This bacterial disease causes leaves to turn brown and fall off, small branches to die back, and small cankers to develop on branches, often in response to pruning cuts. Fire blight is spread by airborne spores and can be prevented by removing infected fruit tree parts as soon as possible.
Treatment
The best way to treat this disease is by pruning infected branches or the entire fruit tree. You should also remove all dead leaves from the ground around your apple trees in order to prevent fire blight from spreading further.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease affecting many plants, but it is especially common in plant bare root trees. Powdery mildew can cause yellowing leaves and stunted growth. It also makes the fruit less appealing to consumers.
Powdery mildew is not a serious disease, but it can damage your apple trees if you do not take steps to prevent it from spreading. If left untreated, powdery mildew can spread to other parts of your yard and garden area.
Treatment
You can treat powdery mildew with a fungicide spray that contains bifenthrin, carbaryl or triflumuron at label rates (check this with your local nursery). Spray all leaves except those on which flowers have appeared, as the spray will not damage these.
If your apple tree has been infected by powdery mildew several times in recent years, you may want to consider using a systemic fungicide instead of a traditional spray.
Nutrients Found in Bear Fruit of Apple Trees
Apples are rich in vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system and keeps your skin healthy. In addition, vitamin C may help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Apples also contain quercetin, a flavonoid antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce the risk of some types of cancer.
Fresh eating or a single serving of apple juice provides about 10 percent of the daily value for fiber, which helps to lower cholesterol levels because fiber binds with bile acids in the digestive system and removes them from circulation before they can be absorbed by the body and turned into cholesterol.
Other Uses of Apples
The apple tree is one of the most important trees in the world. Apples are mostly grown for their fruits, but they also have many other uses.
- Apples are a source of food and medicine. Because they are so nutritious, apples are eaten raw, dried or cooked in many countries around the world. They can also be used to make juice and cider (an alcoholic drink). Apples contain antioxidants that help fight disease and keep you healthy.
- Apple seeds have been used as a treatment for diarrhea and dysentery for centuries. The seeds contain tannins and phenolic acids that prevent bacteria from growing in your digestive system. These same compounds also make apple seeds useful as a natural dye for woolen fabrics!
- Apple trees provide shade — especially if they’re planted near buildings or homes — which helps reduce energy costs by keeping homes cooler during hot summers while limiting the amount of heat gain through windows during cold winters when sunlight passes through leaves onto walls inside homes or offices (which can lead to higher heating bills).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take for young trees to grow?
It takes about 4-5 years for an apple tree to begin producing fruit. The first year, you may only see buds on the branches and no flowers or fruit. When your tree begins flowering, keep an eye out for pollinators such as bees and wasps. Without them, your trees won’t produce any fruit!
Can I grow apples in my yard?
Yes! You can grow apples in almost any climate, although they need a lot of sunshine and well drained soil. If you’re lucky enough to live in a warm climate like Southern California or Florida, you may want to consider growing grafted dwarf apple trees as these are easier to manage than larger trees. But even if you live somewhere more challenging like zone 5 or 6 (northern US), there are plenty of varieties available that will work for you! it’s vital to choose an apple variety suited to your climate and winter temperatures.
Can you grow apples from store-bought apples?
Yes you can.The first step is to make sure before you plant apple trees you have is a seedless apple. Seedless apples will not produce seeds when they ripen and are therefore easier to grow from. You can get seedless apples from the grocery store or farmers market in early summer – check the label before purchasing! If your apple has seeds, you can still try growing it but it may take longer.
The next step is to cut the apple into small pieces (approx 1/4 inch) with a sharp knife so that each piece has at least one bud (usually located at the end of an “arm”). Then soak these pieces in water overnight to soften them up and make sure they don’t dry out while they’re waiting to be planted outdoors.
Do apple trees need to be planted in pairs?
Apple trees grow best when planted in pairs. Some apple varieties, such as Golden Delicious and Red Delicious, are self-pollinating, but most require a second tree for cross-pollination.
It’s possible to grow just one tree and still get plenty of fruit. But you’ll need to be patient — it can take up to three years for the first harvest.
How much space does an apple tree need?
Apple trees can grow anywhere from 10-30 feet tall and wide, depending on the variety you choose. Dwarf varieties are much smaller but produce more fruit than their full-sized cousins.
How many calories are in an apple?
An average-sized apple contains about 50 calories.
Apple Trivia
- The apples in your grocery store are not all the same variety, even though they are labeled as one type of apple.
- Apples were first cultivated by the Chinese around 4000 B.C.
- The first apple tree was planted in North America by John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) but was never commercially grown because it did not produce enough fruit to be profitable.
- Botanically speaking, an apple is a pome which means that its seeds are enclosed in a fleshy core rather than an ovary or stone like other plants have (like grapes).
- Apples are a member of the rose family, along with plums and peaches!
- The apple blossom symbolizes beauty and youthfulness; it is also a symbol of death and rebirth.
- The apple was considered a sacred fruit by the Druids, who thought they could see the face of their gods in its shape. The story goes that when the Romans invaded Britain, they found an ancient oak tree with several severed heads hanging from its branches—a warning to invaders that if they didn’t leave them alone, their heads would be next!
Summary
With the delicious taste, constant supply, and versatility of the apple tree, it’s no surprise that apples are one of the most widely-grown fruits in the world. While they may not be your go-to fruit to make an apple pie, apples certainly have their place in the world of fruits and veggies. If you want to grow apples for your own for personal consumption, consider adding different apple varieties to your planting hole or garden!
