The apple tree (Malus domestica) is a widely cultivated deciduous species that undergoes a visual transformation across the four seasons. Originating in Central Asia, this tree has been domesticated for thousands of years and is now grown worldwide for its edible fruit. The seasonal cycle reveals distinct phases of growth and rest, each presenting specific visual characteristics.
Overall Structure and Bark Characteristics
Apple trees in cultivation typically present a rounded or spreading crown. Their size is often controlled by grafting onto rootstocks, which can range from a few meters up to about 12 meters in height. The branching habit is generally decurrent, meaning the branches grow outward and upward, creating a canopy often wider than it is tall, especially in managed orchards.
The mature bark is usually grayish-brown to dark gray and develops a scaly or slightly furrowed texture over time. Younger branches and twigs are smoother, appearing reddish or dark-brown. These younger stems often exhibit fine, downy hairs when new, which eventually disappear as the wood ages.
Distinctive Features of Leaves and Flowers
The foliage emerges in spring as simple, alternate leaves that are typically oval or elliptical in shape with a pointed tip. Leaf margins are finely serrated or toothed. The upper surface is dark or olive-green, while the underside is paler and often covered in fine, white, woolly hairs, described as pubescence.
The bloom occurs in spring, often in late April or early May. Flowers appear in clusters known as corymb-like racemes on short spur branches. Each blossom features five petals, which are white but frequently tinged with a soft pink, especially when first opening.
Appearance of the Fruit and Seasonal Changes
Following successful pollination, the petals fall, and the developing fruit begins as a small, firm green structure called a fruitlet. This structure is a pome, where the edible portion develops from the receptacle tissue surrounding the ovary. Throughout the summer, the fruit grows in size, and the tree’s appearance changes as branches become heavy with the developing apples.
As summer progresses into fall, the apples mature over a period of 100 to 200 days, depending on the cultivar. The fruit acquires its final coloration, ranging from solid green, yellow, or various shades of red and orange, or a combination of these colors. Ripe apples vary widely in size and shape, typically between 2.5 and 12 centimeters in diameter, and may be nearly round, conical, or elongated.
The seasonal cycle concludes with the onset of dormancy in the late fall, triggered by shorter days and cooler temperatures. The leaves turn yellow and drop, leaving the branches bare. The tree is in its resting phase, protecting itself from cold. Future leaves and flowers are contained within small, reddish-brown, woolly-hairy buds on the twigs.