Permaculture Plants: Apple Trees

This is the first of hopefully many entries on specific plants to be used in a Permaculture System.  I attempted to document every aspect of a plant that would be useful, but I am sure there are things I missed.  However, this should be a fairly holistic overview.

Heirloom Apples

http://nourishnetwork.presscdn.com/files/2010/10/heirloom-apples-frames.jpg

Common Name: Apple
Scientific Name: Malus domestica or pumila
Family: Rosaceae

Description: Hardly needs description. Moderate sized tree to small dwarf trees.

History: Originated in Western Asia (Turkey?). Likely the first tree to be cultivated. First brought to the U.S. in the 17th Century.

Trivia: China is the main producer of apples. The U.S. is second.

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USING THIS PLANT
Primary Uses:

• Fresh eating, cooking
• Fresh juice
• Drying
• Preserving
• Fermenting: Cider, Apple Jack

Secondary Uses:

• Coppicing
• Smoking  - wood is commonly used for smoking meats
• Nectar source for insects (especially bees)
• Winter food source for birds and mammals
• Dynamic Accumulator (Fair potassium accumulator) - The term "Dynamic Accumulator" is used by Dave Jacke in Edible Forest Gardens as a way to describe plants that either keep nutrients around (like in fallen autumn leaves) or pull nutrients up from the subsoil.

Yield:

• Standard 100-400 lbs (45-180 kg)
• Semi-dwarf 77-155 lbs (35-70 kg)
• Dwarf 55-120 lbs (25-55 kg)

Harvesting: Harvest when ripe
Storage: Store in cool place

http://www.danmarquisphotography.com/photos/apple%20blossoms.jpg

DESIGNING WITH THIS PLANT
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Plant Type: Medium-sized Shrub to Medium-Sized Tree
Forest Garden Use: Canopy Layer in Smaller Forest Gardens, Sub-Canopy Layer
Cultivars/Varieties: Over 7,500 cultivars


Pollination:

• Most require cross-pollination
• Note that not all species will cross-pollinate – review a chart before planting. Here is one example.

Flowering: May-June

Life Span
Years to Begin Bearing:

• Standard 5-8 yrs
• Semi-dwarf 4 yrs
• Dwarf 3 yrs

Years to Maximum Bearing:

• Standard 10 yrs
• Semi-dwarf 10 yrs
• Dwarf 5 yrs

Years of Useful Life:

• Standard 35-100 yrs
• Semi-dwarf 30-50 yrs?
• Dwarf 10-30 yrs

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS PLANT

Graphic showing the different sizes of rootstocks.

http://www.thebeechgrovegarden.com/images/fact_images/FS02Rootstock.jpg

Table showing characteristics of some rootstocks.

http://www.burchellnursery.com/images/apple3.jpg

Size: Depends on root stock

• Own root, Standard: 20-26’ (6-8m) high x 20’ (6m) wide → tall, not for fresh eating apples which should be picked from the tree, but can be used for juice/cider apples which can be picked up off the ground
• Semi-Dwarf: 13-16’ (4-5m) high and wide
• Dwarf: 8-13’ (2.5-4m) high x 12’ (3.5m) wide

Roots:  Flat, mostly shallow roots
Growth Rate: Medium

http://www.theequinest.com/images/apple-tree1.jpg

Apple Tree in Fall

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GROWING CONDITIONS FOR THIS PLANT

Light: Full Sun preferred
Shade: Tolerates mild shade
Moisture: Medium
pH: 6.1-7.0

Special Considerations for Growing:

• Tolerant of most garden conditions
• Not tolerate to Juglone, a natural growth inhibitor produced by members of the Walnut Family: Hickory, Pecan, Walnut, Wingnut

Propagation: Typically by grafting.  Seeds are not true to type - meaning they produce apple trees that produce apples that rarely taste anything close to the parent stock... often they do not have a good fresh eating flavor, but could be used for hard cider.

Maintenance:

• Pruning annually to every 2-3 yrs
• Needs nitrogen and potassium to sustain cropping

Disease/Pests:
Numerous diseases including various types of Apple Scab, Blotch, Rot, Canker, Mildew, Rust, Pit, Scald, Mottle, Blight, and pests including Nematodes, Codling Moth, Aphids, Bird, to name just a few.

Concerns:
Seeds and leaves are poisonous – contain a precursor to cyanide (large amounts need to be eaten for this to be toxic).

Red Astrachan Apple

http://www.bighorsecreekfarm.com/bighorsecreekf/images/Red%20Astrachan.jpg