The answer to the question “What time does an apple tree close?” is quite simple: it never does. Unlike many businesses and services, the life cycle of an apple tree is not bound to the idea of opening and closing times. Although it is an organism that relies on a daily rhythm to improve its productivity, an apple tree is essentially a living entity and its closure time is as difficult to measure as a tree’s age.
A significant percent of the scientific experts in the field of horticulture agree that, though an apple tree is influenced by the circadian rhythms triggered by the day and night cycles, the growth process of an apple tree is an ongoing one. Meaning, the apple tree functions and produces fruit all through the year, no matter the time of the day or night.
Contrary to our human concept of “closing” and “opening” times, an apple tree is governed by several other external influences. The most important influences to the growth, production, and even the longevity of an apple tree come from environmental stresses, such as humidity, drought, sunny periods and gusts of wind, as well as from the tree’s interaction with symbiotic organisms like bees, wasps, and birds.
In other words, an apple tree is seldom closed. In fact, an apple tree’s regular functioning is never disrupted on the basis of closing times, partly because an apple tree’s production is not largely affected by the notions of time frames.
However, there are times when an external factor can drastically impair the growth of an apple tree and in extreme cases, threaten the life of the tree itself; and this is especially true in case of apple trees that are planted in unfavourable locations. For example, a tree planted in an area with excessive wind or little sunlight could be threatened, and at times eradicated, by the harsh conditions.
Then again, due to the growth of various agricultural technologies, many apple trees have been provided with special integrative systems that help mitigate these environmental stresses. Thus, providing the tree with a more precise balance of nutrients and other substances necessary for its life cycle and making it able to withstand any adverse conditions, without necessarily closing it down.
Given all of this, it can be said that in general, an apple tree “closes” or stops its production only in the rarest of cases and only when its life is threatened, either by man-made or by natural forces.
What Advantages Does Apple Tree have?
The apple tree is one of the most beneficial trees for humans and for the environment. As a natural resource, some of the top advantages include the purification of air, forest coverage, production of oxygen, and soil stability. Trees, including apple trees, provide a natural filter for the air and capture harmful elements from the atmosphere, such as volatile organic compounds and particulate matter.
Moreover, one of the many benefits of the apple tree is its ability to increase the land’s forest area, which is essential for optimum ecological balance and a more biodiverse surrounding. Apple trees are also an important source of oxygen production, with one tree estimated to produce a whole year’s oxygen for four people.
Apart from this, apple trees have strong root systems that both hold the soil together and act as filters. These roots help to block sediments and pollutants that are generated by nearby sources and ultimately lead to a healthier physical environment.
Furthermore, the various parts of the apple tree also have several practical applications. The bark of an apple tree, for instance, is known to have many medicinal properties and has been used over the centuries to treat a variety of ailments. When it comes to the fruit of the tree, apples are extremely rich in minerals and vitamins, although some of these levels can diminish with prolonged exposure to air.
Finally, apple trees also have cultural and economical advantages for the people around them, as many seasonal festivals are based around them, along with their potential for providing income through fruit marketing.
What are the Considerations?
When it comes to planting and maintaining apple trees, there are a few critical considerations that need to be taken into account. First of all, determining particular soil conditions and selecting the right type of apple tree that would suit the location is of utmost importance. An ideal soil would be one that is slightly acidulous and sufficiently backboned with organic matter.
Moreover, the exposure to light should also be taken into account when choosing the right type of apple tree. It is advisable to plant the apple tree in a spot that is able to receive the optimal amount of light and properly distribute it across its structure. Lastly, the selection of an appropriate rootstock is also an important factor, as it would determine the size of the apple tree, as well as the vigor and productivity of the fruit produced.
Not only this, another important factor to keep in mind when it comes to apple trees is their maintenance and cultivation. It is essential to provide the tree with appropriate nutrition and sufficient moisture, taking into account the local soils and climatic conditions. Proper pruning is also necessary, especially in young trees, as it would encourage flowering and fruit production.
Additionally, it is essential to keep pests and diseases away from the apple trees, through frequent inspections and chemical applications if necessary. Lastly, often times, there is the need to apply gibberellins (growth hormones), in order to hasten the processes of flowering, fruit set, and crop. All of these would ensure a healthy and abundant fruit production for the tree.
What Are the Pollination Factors?
The pollination science of apple trees is fairly complex and studies show that bee pollination is the most successful natural pollinator for apples, although some other insects, such as bumblebees, can also be effective. However, manual pollination has been shown to carry better and higher yields, since it allows one to choose the particular varieties of apples that are pollinated, thus ensuring better and more predictable results.
In order to pollinate an apple tree successfully, the primary factor to consider would be the population of pollinating bees in the area and the duration of the overlap between the tree’s flowering time and the activity time of the bees. If these factors are not in sync, then it is unlikely that the tree would receive enough cross-pollination to generate a higher yield.
Apart from bees, wind is another major pollinating agent for apple trees. Although wind pollination can be quite efficient, when compared to insect pollination, it is also less reliable due to its reliance on the direction and speed of the wind. As a result, wind pollination is usually ineffective for apple trees planted in inland areas, due to the irregular wind patterns.
Lastly, artificial pollination is another method to ensure successful pollination in apple trees. In this method, a professional beekeeper is hired to pollinate the trees with a specific type of bee that has been determined by the severity of the soil, climate, and target species. Although this method can be costly, it has been proven to be quite effective when it comes to commercial apple farms.
Are There Different Types of Apple Trees?
Like other plants, apple trees come in many species and varieties. Depending on the geographic location and general environmental conditions, multiple strains of the apple tree can be found in the same region. For example, in North America, three of the main apple tree species present are Malus Sylvestris, Malus Domestica, and Malus X Richensis.
Malus Sylvestris is the Latin name for the European crabapple tree and it is said to be the ancestor of the modern apple tree. It is a species of deciduous flowering tree, often found planted in urban areas, parks, or farms. This species is winter-hardy, steady in its growth and produces the highest quality of apples.
Malus Domestica, on the other hand, is the apple tree’s modern form and also the one found in most of North America’s public orchards. It is a very productive tree and its apples generally have excellent flavour. It is also a hardy species and growing conditions can be managed well.
Lastly, Malus X Richensis is a hybrid species. It is a cross between Malus Sylvestris and Malus Domestica, created by the US Department of Agriculture to produce apples that are not only disease-resistant, but also more flavourful and aromatic.
Apart from these popular species, there are also other types of apple trees that vary by size, such as dwarf apple trees, standard apple trees, and semi-dwarf apple trees, as well as a number of different varieties of apples that vary in colour and taste.
