{"id":19415,"date":"2023-11-02T13:20:09","date_gmt":"2023-11-02T11:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.branchthetree.com\/?p=19415"},"modified":"2023-11-02T13:20:09","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T11:20:09","slug":"what-is-the-apple-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.branchthetree.com\/what-is-the-apple-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is The Apple Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Apple trees have been cultivated over several centuries because of the sweet, juicy fruits they produce. They are native to the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and Northeastern Asia. Apples are one of the oldest and most popular fruits grown worldwide. Apples trees are attractive and long-lasting with a single tree living up to thirty years. <\/p>\n

The apple tree is a medium to large deciduous tree with spreading branches growing up to 20-40 feet in height and 15-30 feet in width. It has a single trunk and stout, branching limbs that divide at regular intervals. Its bark is brownish-grey and its leaves are toothed, lanceolate measuring 7-14 cm in length, with sometimes serrated margins. The flowers are white and very fragrant. <\/p>\n

Apple trees require full sun and a moist, but well-drained soil for optimum growth and fruit production. They can be grown in zones 3 to 10, but will produce best in zones 5 to 8. They benefit from occasional pruning in the spring, fertilizing in the early spring and again in late summer, and thinning of fruit in early summer. <\/p>\n

Harvesting of apples usually occurs in the fall with large, commercial orchards hand-picking all their fruit. Some orchards may shake their trees, thus encouraging apples to drop and then collect the apples off the ground. Some may also use ladders or use mechanical pickers. Apples that have rotted or been shaken from the tree are used for cider production. <\/p>\n