IDENTIFIER CARD
Apple
What is it?
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It is a fruit grown on a deciduous tree.
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Contains pips inside and has an edible skin.
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It is perennial (a plant that lives for more than
two years).
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It originated in central Asia.
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Can be eaten raw or cooked, and can be juiced
and fermented.
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Small trees produce fruit after three years, bigger
trees after five.
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Apple trees that you buy to plant are made up
from two parts. The bottom part of the trunk is the
rootstock, which controls the size of the tree. This is
then grafted or joined onto the top part of the tree.
(scion), which controls the type of apples grown.
The joint is usually about 25cm up the tree.
What does it look like?
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Can grow 3-12m tall.
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The leaves are alternately arranged, simple ovals
12cm long and 3-6cm broad with a serrated
margin and a slightly downy underside.
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Blossoms appear in the spring at the same time
as the leaves.
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The flowers are white with a pink tinge and have
five petals 2.5-3.5 cm across.
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The fruit matures in autumn and is usually 5cm in
diameter. Skin colour can vary from green to red,
to yellow to pink, depending on the variety.
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The centre of the fruit contains five carpels
(chambers) arranged in a five-pointed star,
each carpel containing one to three seeds.
Different types
Varieties include Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Cox’s
Orange Pippin and Bramley.
Latin name
Malus
How do you grow it?
• Choose the kind of apple you want – taste and
also size of tree.
•They can be grown from seed and this takes about
six years, but the easiest way is to plant one that is
already one or two years old.
•They like full sun and soil that does not get too
waterlogged.
•October to December is the best time to plant.
•Dig three handfuls of bonemeal into the soil
in an area about 50cm square and at least one
spade deep.
•Make a hole big enough for the roots of the tree.
•Put the plant in the hole to the same depth it was
in its pot and cover up the roots with soil.
•Some will need to be attached to a stake as they
grow, to keep straight.
•As they grow, some varieties can be trained to
grow along wires attached to walls.
•They need pruning every year to keep their shape
and encourage growth. This is quite tricky and you
should seek advice on how to do this.
•Apples are usually ready to harvest if you give
them a twist and they fall into your hand, or you
simply take one off the tree and try it.
Common problems
Apple trees are prone to several pests and diseases depending
on where you live. The best way to stop them is to look after
your tree – remove and burn any fruit that shows signs of
disease, regularly sweep up and dispose of fallen leaves, and
wash away aphids.
Additional info/things
to find out about
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Thought of as the earliest tree to be cultivated.
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Found in many ancient stories and folklore – the
Bible, Sir Isaac Newton, Snow White, William Tell...
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In the proverbs an apple a day is said to keep the
doctor away.
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Apple trees have been known to produce fruit for
over 40 years.
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They are best planted in small groups.