The journey of growing your own apples starts with selecting the perfect young tree. Successfully cultivating an orchard requires careful consideration of where you source the plant and what characteristics make it suitable for your environment. This guide simplifies the process, explaining the retail options available and the technical factors that determine long-term success. Making informed decisions ensures the tree will thrive and eventually yield a satisfying harvest.
Identifying Retail Sources
Local, independent nurseries provide immediate access to living stock and often possess specialized knowledge regarding which apple varieties perform best in the local microclimate and soil conditions. Purchasing locally supports the selection of trees already adapted to the weather patterns, ensuring a smoother transition when planted.
Retail chains and large garden centers offer convenience for quick purchases alongside other gardening supplies. The trees found here are typically mass-produced and represent only the most popular varieties, such as ‘Gala’ or ‘Fuji’. While prices can be lower, the selection is limited, and the staff may lack the horticultural depth to advise on complex rootstock or pollination issues.
Specialized mail-order nurseries provide an extensive catalog unmatched by local retailers for those seeking rare or heirloom varieties. These businesses focus entirely on fruit production and offer hundreds of cultivars. This allows growers to select based on specific attributes like disease resistance or unique flavor profiles, making this option valuable for experienced growers.
Mail-order sources often ship trees in their bare-root form, which is the most economical way to transport dormant plants. These trees are dug up while completely dormant and shipped without heavy soil or containers. This method is preferred because it allows for a thorough inspection of the root system before planting and reduces shipping costs.
Essential Selection Criteria
The single most significant decision when selecting an apple tree is the choice of rootstock, which determines the tree’s ultimate size and vigor. Apple trees are almost always grafted, meaning the desired fruiting variety (scion) is fused onto the root system (rootstock) of a different, usually dwarfing, plant. This genetic combination dictates the plant’s mature height, spread, and its resistance to certain soil-borne diseases.
Dwarf rootstocks, such as the popular M-9 or Bud-9 series, result in trees that typically reach only six to ten feet tall, making them ideal for small gardens and easy harvesting without a ladder. Semi-dwarf rootstocks, like M-7 or MM-106, produce medium-sized trees growing to about twelve to fifteen feet, which require less staking than full dwarfs but still offer size management benefits. Standard rootstocks create full-sized, vigorous trees that can exceed twenty-five feet and are generally reserved for commercial orchards.
Bare-root trees are dormant specimens shipped without soil, requiring immediate planting upon arrival in late winter or early spring. This form is advantageous because it is typically less expensive and allows the buyer to inspect the entire root mass for health and structural integrity. However, bare-root stock is only available during the dormant season and requires careful handling to prevent the roots from drying out.
Containerized or potted trees are sold with their roots established in soil, offering greater flexibility in planting time, often extending into the summer months. While they tend to cost more than bare-root equivalents, the root ball is protected, reducing transplant shock when moved into the garden. Buyers should ensure the tree is not severely root-bound, where the roots circle tightly inside the pot, which can lead to long-term growth issues.
Successful apple production hinges on cross-pollination, as most apple varieties are self-sterile and require pollen from a genetically distinct second variety to set fruit. Growers must plant at least two compatible varieties that bloom simultaneously or rely on a nearby crabapple tree for pollen donation. Additionally, the chosen variety must satisfy the specific “chill hour” requirement of the region. This is the cumulative number of hours below 45°F (7.2°C) needed to break dormancy and flower properly in the spring.
Optimal Purchasing Timing and Tree Inspection
The optimal time to acquire and plant apple trees is during their dormant period, typically from late fall to early spring before the buds swell. This timing minimizes physiological stress, allowing the tree to focus energy on establishing a deep root system before leafing out. Early spring is particularly ideal, as the ground is workable and the tree has the entire growing season ahead to settle in.
When examining a bare-root specimen, the roots should appear fibrous, plump, and moist, with no evidence of fungal growth or brittle dryness. For both bare-root and potted trees, the graft union—the swollen point where the scion meets the rootstock—must be clearly defined and completely intact. This union should be positioned several inches above the soil line after planting to maintain the dwarfing effect of the rootstock.
The tree’s bark should be smooth and firm, displaying the healthy color characteristic of the variety. It must be free from open wounds, cankers, or signs of boring insect activity. Look closely for evidence of pests or diseases, especially on potted trees held in a retail setting. Branches should be well-spaced and generally angled upwards, indicating a good structural start to the canopy.
Immediate care after purchase is important for the survival of the young tree, especially if planting is delayed. Bare-root trees must have their roots kept consistently moist and cool, often achieved by temporarily burying them in moist soil or sawdust, a process known as “heeling in.” Potted trees require regular watering and should be kept in a sheltered, brightly lit location until planting.