Backyard Apple Tree Selection and Care - Ask Extension
I plan to plant an apple tree in my yard in Centennial this spring. I have the following questions.
1-Maximum distance to another apple tree for cros...
Knowledgebase
Backyard Apple Tree Selection and Care #858195
Asked January 31, 2024, 11:59 AM EST
I plan to plant an apple tree in my yard in Centennial this spring. I have the following questions.
1-Maximum distance to another apple tree for cross pollination.
2-Recommended apple trees for Colorado.
3-For cross pollination, should the neighboring tree be of the same variety or a different one?
4-Advantages of dwarf apple tree versus a regular apple tree.
5-Recommendations for care and maintenance of a dwarf apple tree.
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Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
Peggy,
Thank you for your question regarding planting an apple tree in your landscape.
Growing fruit trees on the Front Range can be tricky because of the unpredictability of our spring frost. Many varieties of apples will have their buds and/or blossoms suffer or die from a late spring frost. The following link of tree recommendations has several varieties ranked by their suitability for the Front Range landscape. These are ranked from "A" (best) to "D" (less suitable). The table will also give you an indication of insect and disease issues, cold hardiness, salt tolerance and water requirements. The are 2 "A" rated varieties: Red Delicious and Yellow Golden Delicious. Five "B" rated: Gala, Haraired, Jonathon, McIntosh, and Royal Gala. There are 4 "C" rated and 1 "D" rated variety. The "D" rated variety is Granny Smith which is commonly found in the spring but should be avoided because of its lack of cold hardiness as well as other factors. Her is the complete list:
https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/garden/treereclist.pdf?_gl=1
The size of the tree, regular, semi-dwarf or dwarf is determined on the amount of space you have for the tree at maturity. Regular apple trees can reach a height of 12', semi-dwarf, 10' and dwarf, 6'. However, dwarf trees require careful training to be highly productive and staking. Dwarf trees are not as hardy as semi-dwarf or regular apple trees. Availability of dwarf fruit trees may be a factor as well. All apple trees are grafted trees and the size may be controlled by the root stock onto which they are grafted.
For good pollination you actually need two varieties of trees for cross-pollination. Compatible cultivars are needed for good cross-pollination. Pollination is a typical problem of growing fruit on the Front Range. Bees do not fly in cool weather and so pollination does not occur in cool, rainy springs.
All fruit trees are intolerant of soils with poor drainage and heavy irrigation. Fruit trees should be located outside the turf areas of your landscape. Turf irrigation systems may provide too much water for fruit trees. Fruit trees should be planted where they can get full sun throughout the day. Avoid planting too close to a building as the temperatures next to the building will be warmer and the tree could bloom too early and then be impacted by a spring frost.
The following link will give you information on pruning and training of fruit trees:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/training-and-pruning-fruit-trees-7-003/?_gl=1
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/771.pdf
It can be very challenging to have success with fruit trees in your landscapes but so rewarding when your efforts are rewarded with delicious apples to eat. If you have any additional questions, please reply to this email.
Thank you for your question regarding planting an apple tree in your landscape.
Growing fruit trees on the Front Range can be tricky because of the unpredictability of our spring frost. Many varieties of apples will have their buds and/or blossoms suffer or die from a late spring frost. The following link of tree recommendations has several varieties ranked by their suitability for the Front Range landscape. These are ranked from "A" (best) to "D" (less suitable). The table will also give you an indication of insect and disease issues, cold hardiness, salt tolerance and water requirements. The are 2 "A" rated varieties: Red Delicious and Yellow Golden Delicious. Five "B" rated: Gala, Haraired, Jonathon, McIntosh, and Royal Gala. There are 4 "C" rated and 1 "D" rated variety. The "D" rated variety is Granny Smith which is commonly found in the spring but should be avoided because of its lack of cold hardiness as well as other factors. Her is the complete list:
https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/garden/treereclist.pdf?_gl=1
The size of the tree, regular, semi-dwarf or dwarf is determined on the amount of space you have for the tree at maturity. Regular apple trees can reach a height of 12', semi-dwarf, 10' and dwarf, 6'. However, dwarf trees require careful training to be highly productive and staking. Dwarf trees are not as hardy as semi-dwarf or regular apple trees. Availability of dwarf fruit trees may be a factor as well. All apple trees are grafted trees and the size may be controlled by the root stock onto which they are grafted.
For good pollination you actually need two varieties of trees for cross-pollination. Compatible cultivars are needed for good cross-pollination. Pollination is a typical problem of growing fruit on the Front Range. Bees do not fly in cool weather and so pollination does not occur in cool, rainy springs.
All fruit trees are intolerant of soils with poor drainage and heavy irrigation. Fruit trees should be located outside the turf areas of your landscape. Turf irrigation systems may provide too much water for fruit trees. Fruit trees should be planted where they can get full sun throughout the day. Avoid planting too close to a building as the temperatures next to the building will be warmer and the tree could bloom too early and then be impacted by a spring frost.
The following link will give you information on pruning and training of fruit trees:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/training-and-pruning-fruit-trees-7-003/?_gl=1
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/771.pdf
It can be very challenging to have success with fruit trees in your landscapes but so rewarding when your efforts are rewarded with delicious apples to eat. If you have any additional questions, please reply to this email.
