Apples are subject to a variety of diseases that can cause minor cosmetic damage or more significant damage, such as reduced yields and even tree death. The good news is home growers can avoid most diseases by planting disease resistant varieties. Below are a few of the most … [Read more...]
Snow Apple Tree: History and Resources
The Snow Apple -- aptly named for both the fruit’s white flesh and the tree’s winter hardiness -- is one of the oldest known apple varieties. Also called the Fameuse, it originated in France, probably in the 1600s and was introduced to Canada and America one hundred years … [Read more...]
How to Grow an Apple Tree
Johnny Appleseed, aka Johnathan Chapman, was a horticultural hero responsible for planting thousands of apple trees throughout the Midwest in the early 1800s. Some of the descendents of these trees are still growing. Johnny traveled on foot over 100,000 square miles, and started … [Read more...]
When and How to Prune an Apple Tree
Apple trees are among the most beautiful orchard trees with their large, spreading habit and warm, smooth bark. But, they need annual pruning to keep them productive. Pruning serves several purposes: Pruning opens the canopy so light can reach all the leaves, ensuring more … [Read more...]
Heirloom Apples: An Overview
Many home gardeners and growers with small orchards choose heirlooms over standard hybrids for a variety of reasons. While the mythology might say that heirlooms are more prone to disease or pests, the opposite is almost always true. Why Grow Heirloom Apples? There are a lot of … [Read more...]