Apple trees need proper care to grow quickly and reach its full potential. Here are the most important steps for how to make your apple tree grow faster:
1. Ensure Correct Soil Requirements – Apple trees need well-drained loamy soil with a pH of 6.2-7.0 to perform properly. It’s also important to check that the soil isn’t too wet or dry and that the soil isn’t compacted as this can be detrimental.
2. Install Proper Irrigation – It’s important to water your apple tree regularly but also beware of drowning it. Sometimes a sprinkler system installed around the tree may be necessary to make sure it gets adequate water but still able to dry out.
3. Plant at the Right Time of Year – Apple trees should be planted between late fall and early spring to ensure the tree is as healthy as possible and can grow as quickly as possible.
4. Prune and Train the Tree – Pruning and training the tree regularly is critical to keep it healthy and growing as quickly as possible in the desired shape. Pruning should be done once a year during summer months.
5. Mulch the Tree – Mulching the tree is time consuming but very important as it helps to keep the tree healthy and helps with its growth rate. Mulch should be spread around the tree any time of year with a maximum of 4-6 inches of mulch recommended.
6. Fertilize the Tree – Fertilizing the tree regularly ensures it is getting the nutrients it needs to grow quickly. It’s important to use the correct fertilizer for an apple tree and getting advice from a qualified professional is the best way to ensure you’re doing it correctly.
7. Be Cautious of Pests and Diseases – Keeping an eye out for pests and diseases is a must as they can have a devastating effect on the health and growth rate of the tree. If you notice any signs of pests or disease, it’s important to immediately take the correct steps to address the issue.
Ensuring Soil Requirements
Apple trees have specific soil requirements if they’re to grow quickly and reach their full potential. Loamy soil with a pH of 6.2-7.0 is ideal, and it’s important to determine that the soil is well-drained, not overly wet or dry, and has not become compacted. A soil test is a good way to check the soil pH, soil structure and nutrients and make sure the growing conditions are optimal for the apple tree.
Apple trees should be planted between late fall and early spring for optimal growth. By planting during these times, the tree has minimal environmental stress, as it’s not exposed to extended periods of extreme temperatures, and can begin to establish its roots.
Prior to planting, it’s important to create a well-drained bed, amend the soil with organic matter and fertilize appropriately. A raised bed with a suitable soil mix should also be considered to allow excesses water to drain away quickly and provide the tree with better access to oxygen and nutrients.
Before planting a variety of precautions need to be taken to ensure the soil and the tree will be healthy and perform well. Working the soil to a depth of at least six to eight inches, adding more organic matter as needed to make sure the soil is draining properly and adding compost, manure or a slow-release fertilizer to the soil will help to ensure healthy growth.
It’s also important to regular check that the soil isn’t too wet or dry. Adjusting the soil by adding more organic matter or other suitable amendments, if needed, and providing adequate irrigation is imperative to encouraging healthy and quick growth.
Installing Proper Irrigation
Getting the right amount of water for an apple tree is essential for a healthy and vigorous growth. A sprinkler system installed around the tree is often needed to ensure the tree is getting adequate water but also able to dry out. Tunneled and non-tunneled irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation and subsurface dispersion systems, are the most efficient.
For optimal health and growth, it’s important to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Overwatering trees can have a devastating effect on the tree, resulting in more disease, fungus and pests. While climate, rainfall and soil type all need to be taken into consideration when determining how much to water the tree, a good rule of thumb is deep, infrequent watering.
Watering should be done early in the day, when the temperature is cooler, to minimize evaporation. Also, a layer of mulch around the tree will help to minimize evapotranspiration and keep the tree’s root system moist for a longer period of time.
Finally, trees should be tested for drought stress by checking to see if the leaves are wilted or droopy, or if the leaves or the bark feel brittle. If the tree is showing any of these signs, it means it’s time to water.
Prune and Train the Tree
Pruning and training of the tree is essential for healthy and quick growth. Pruning should be done once a year, usually during summer months, so the tree can be guided into the desired shape and size. Pruning is also important to reduce the potential size of the tree to fit the area better, remove damaged, dead or diseased limbs, and increase fruit production.
When pruning, it’s important to follow the rule of three-quarters and leave at least three-quarters of the tree or its leaves intact. When removing a tree limb, it should be cut at a 45-degree angle just above a bud that points away from the center of the tree.
Training of the tree is also crucial. When training, it’s important to select a central trunk and make sure it’s properly supported so the weight of the tree and fruit don’t pull it over. Make sure the tree is pruned correctly as well, to develop the main horizontal branches that will form a frame as well as the vertical side branches that will hold extra fruit.
When training, it’s also important to prune regularly to ensure the tree takes the desired shape and maintain the desired size. Pruning regularly will help keep the tree healthy and growing quickly.
Mulch the Tree
Mulching the tree is a great way to keep the tree’s roots moist and cool, and prevent weed growth. Mulch also helps maintain an even soil temperature and absorb excess water. Organic mulches, such as bark, sawdust or wood chips, are great for apple trees as they provide essential nutrients that the apple tree needs for healthy and vigorous growth.
Mulching the tree should be done any time of year, but mainly in the early spring and late fall. A maximum layer of 4-6 inches of mulch is recommended. Too much mulch, however, can cause the tree’s roots to suffocate, and can result in root rot.
It’s important to spread the mulch out evenly, and make sure it’s not placed against the tree trunk. Also, periodically check that the mulch is not compacted or decomposing and spreading the mulch around the tree a couple of times a year can help prevent that.
Another great tip is to mix in dry leaves, pine needles, hay or other available organic matter with the mulch to enhance its effectiveness and help increase the tree’s overall growth rate.
Fertilize the Tree
Fertilizing the apple tree is essential for healthy and vigorous growth. Fertilizing should be done twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall. It’s important to use fertilizers specifically designed for apple trees as they provide the correct ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium along with other macro and micronutrients that aid in tree growth.
In general, apple trees need less nitrogen compared to other fruit trees. Too much nitrogen can promote vegetative growth and decrease fruit production and quality. For the spring application, it’s best to use a slow-release fertilizer and for the fall application, it’s best to use a balanced fertilizer mixed with organic matter or compost.
It’s also important to be aware of fertilizer burn, as this can be very harmful to the tree. Fertilizer burn happens when fertilizer salt builds up in the soil and damages the roots of the tree, resulting in stress and yellowing of the leaves. To avoid this, it’s best to use less fertilizer and to evenly spread it out around the tree and over the root system.
Finally, if in doubt, it’s best to consult a qualified professional who can advise what type of fertilizer is best for the tree and specific soil conditions.
Pests and Diseases
It’s important to be cognizant of pests and diseases as they can have a devastating effect on the health and growth rate of the tree. Pests such as aphids and Scale can damage the leaves and bark of trees if they’re not treated quickly. Diseases, such as fire blight, can quickly spread and kill an apple tree in a matter of days.
In order to prevent pests and diseases, it’s important to maintain a well-maintained tree by pruning, fertilizing and mulching the tree regularly. Visual inspections done monthly can also help prevent any outbreaks. If an infestation is found, it’s important to take the necessary steps to address the issue quickly.
Spraying a dormant oil or insecticidal soap on the tree can help ward off pests. If dealing with fire blight, pruning off affected branches immediately is essential, along with spraying the tree with copper-based materials. If spraying, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the correct application amount.
In some cases, natural predators may be a more effective remedy than using chemicals. Ladybugs, lacewings, and birds are all natural predators for many pests, and their presence is beneficial for keeping pests under control.
