Can you recommend a type of apple tree that would be good on a small property?
The first thing you need to know is that most apple trees are grafted and include two distinct parts – the scion and the rootstock. The scion determines the variety of apple and the rootstock determines several other characteristics, including ultimate plant size.
Most apple trees sold for home gardens have either been grafted on to dwarf rootstock, which limits the tree to between four and eight feet in height, or they've been grafted on to semi-dwarf rootstock, which limits it to between sixteen and eighteen feet. Since apple trees can grow to forty feet or more when they are not checked by rootstock, it's a good idea to know how big the tree you are buying is likely to get or you could end up with a monster on your hands.
The variety of apple you choose tends to be determined largely by two factors: personal taste and what's stocked in local garden centres. That last one is a biggie. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of apple varieties in existence, but that doesn't mean you'll be able to get your hands on most of them. What's available is largely determined by a combination of what grows well in our climate and what sells well.
You also need to keep in mind that apples require cross-pollination in order to fruit properly. This means that you need to either select two varieties whose flowering times overlap or you need to get one tree that has been grafted with two (or more) compatible types. Alternatively, if you live near an orchard or have a neighbour who already owns an apple tree, you can find out what variety or varieties they are growing and buy a compatible tree.
Another solution for a small yard is to espalier your tree against a fence or a wall. Many gardeners avoid doing this because they fear the process is either difficult or time intensive, but it really isn't and once you get the hang of it, it's much less of a chore than weeding. If you choose to go the espalier route, be sure to pick variety that is on semi-dwarf rootstock since dwarf trees lack the vigour to train effectively.
Although many backyard orchards are filled with such familiar names as Gravenstein, Empire, and Macintosh, the best tasting apples are often varieties you've never heard of, so it’s worth the effort to read up on any unfamiliar names you spot in a garden centre. You may just run across a gem.
If you have any questions or comments, please send them to me at vanessa@gardenmuse.ca.
