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Plant the trees in late April to early May. Dig a hole that is 18 inches deep and six inches wide with a garden shovel. Place the apple seedling into the hole. Cover the roots with soil.
What is the best month to plant an apple tree?
Planting Time In cold northern climates, spring is the best time to plant apple trees. In areas where winter is less severe, early spring or late fall planting is recommended. Remove weeds and grass in a 4-foot circle and dig a hole about 2 feet deep and twice the diameter of the root ball of the tree.
Will apple trees grow in south Alabama?
Choose apple varieties that are disease-resistant and well-suited to the climate of your part of Alabama, like Dixie Red Delight or Red Rebel. If insufficient winter cold occurs, apple varieties fail to flower: southern counties grow apples that have a lower chilling requirement.
Is now a good time to plant apple trees?
In this case it is best not to plant in early winter while the tree is dormant and not actively drawing up soil moisture – better to plant in spring time, when the tree is just beginning to commence transpiration.
What apples grow best in South Alabama?
Red Delicious and Golden Delicious varieties are the most widely-grown. Cumberland Spur, a type of Red Delicious apple was discovered in Jackson County, Alabama and shows great promise not only in Alabama but throughout the southeast.
How long does it take for an apple tree to bear fruit?
Dwarf apple trees will start bearing fruit 2 to 3 years after planting. Standard size trees can take up to 8 years to bear fruit. Some varieties are more susceptible to insect and disease damage than others. Prune annually to keep apple trees healthy and productive.
Do you need 2 apple trees to produce fruit?
Answer: Pollination and fertilization are necessary for fruit development. Plant at least two different apple tree varieties within 50 feet of one another for good fruit set. Some apple varieties, such as Golden Delicious, will produce a crop without cross-pollination from a second variety.
Do apple trees grow well in Alabama?
Apple trees in Alabama are mainly spur-type trees. Today, Alabama continues to make great strides in apple production, including producing Red Delicious varieties that were previously thought of as inferior to Washington State apples. Choose an apple variety that will grow well in your part of the state.
What is the fastest growing tree in Alabama?
The Best Trees for Planting in Alabama Our Tulip Poplar and Hybrid Poplars are two of the fastest-growing trees you can find. Both these trees can tolerate acidic soil and their hardiness ensures they can withstand the Alabama summers.
What fruit grows best in Alabama?
In addition to peaches, above, there are many different fruits that can be grown in Alabama. Some of the easiest include blueberries, muscadines, figs, Asian persimmons, hard pears and blackberries. There are even some tropical or citrus fruit trees, including loquats, lemons, mandarins and satsumas.
Can you plant apple trees in April?
Apples are probably the easiest tree fruit to grow and the most popular with gardeners. You may be lucky enough to have one in your garden already, but if not, they are easy to establish.Month by month. January February March Plant Plant Plant April May June July August September Harvest Harvest.
How far apart do fruit trees need to be planted?
Most standard-sized fruit trees need approximately 20 feet by 20 feet of space to grow properly, though standard-sized apple and sweet cherry trees need around 35 by 35 feet of space. Citrus trees only require about 8 feet to grow properly.
How far apart can apple trees be to pollinate?
Since bees fly between trees, it’s also important to consider the spacing between your apple trees. Plant them too far apart and bees can’t reach the pollinator partners! For pollination purposes, the recommended planting distance for apple trees is within a 100 foot distance.
What fruit is native to Alabama?
As summer progresses, peaches (the official state fruit of Alabama) come into their own, followed by figs and, as early as this month, even apples. More and more apple varieties will be available this fall as well as persimmons and pears.
How do you grow apples in Alabama?
Planting in Alabama Typically, warm days and cool nights with low humidity are ideal. A few types of apples that grow best in the southeast region are Golden and Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, Pink Lady and Jonagold.
What is Alabama State fruit?
How do you take care of an apple tree for the first year?
You will need to prune your apple tree—to train it to a central leader the first year and for maintenance every year after that—to stimulate fruit production and to keep the tree open and balanced. Without regular pruning, an apple tree produces lots of vegetative growth that then turns into fruiting wood.
How many apple trees do I need?
Tip. Unless you plant a self-pollinating apple tree, you need at least two trees for proper pollination. The trees should be different cultivars that flower at the same time.
Do apple trees produce every year?
Many species of apple tree will produce fruit every year — provided they’re grown in the right conditions and don’t sustain any damage. In some situations, your tree may fall into producing fruit only every second year. And remember: Apple trees won’t bear fruit for the first two to five years of growth.
