How long does apple tree bear fruit

The average apple tree takes 3 to 4 years to bloom and produce apples. Of course, how long it will take your apple tree to bear fruit depends on very many factors. With over 7,000 varieties of apples in North America and dozens of possible rootstocks, it is impossible to say that every apple tree will fall within the average range. With proper placement and handling, your apple tree can eventually produce up to 130 pounds of fruit a year; it just may take 15 years to get there.

Rootstock

1. Almost all apple trees (Malus domesticus) are grafted in order to be kept true to type. It is important to know exactly which rootstock your tree has because it can vary the time it takes to fruit by as much as 7 years. Large growing rootstock will take much longer to fruit than dwarf varieties. This is because the apple tree is putting its energy into growing large rather than into blossoming. Rootstocks M27 and G65 are small trees, but will often fruit within only a single season of planting. MM111 and Bud.118 are much larger trees but can add as much as a decade to your waiting time. M25 is a large tree that is an exception to that, producing in about 5 years.

Cultivars

1. The choice of cultivar will also effect the time it takes for an apple tree to reach maturity. There are some American varieties, like "Northern Spy" and "Wolf River," that can take up to 15 years to bear fruit. "Macintosh," "Gravenstein" and "Yellow Transparent" take 3 to 5 years. "Granny Smith" and "Braeburn" are the quickest to blossom and fruit, sometimes as soon as a year after planting. Pairing a fast cultivar with a dwarf rootstock will provide the quickest crop.

Encourage Early Fruiting

1. It is possible to encourage your apple tree to blossom faster than the rootstock or cultivar would normally allow. Pruning causes the tree to expend energy on healing rather than on fruiting. Prune less to keep the tree focused on fruit. Another option is to tie the branches down. Use a soft twine and pull branches down toward and tie them to the trunk. This simulates the weight of apples on the branch and confuses the tree into thinking it has already fruited, making it more likely to continue that process. Once the tree blossoms, the first season's apples are usually small and unappealing. Pick little apples off during the first 1 to 2 years to encourage more vigorous growth the following year.

Other Factors

1. Although it is possible to encourage early fruiting, there are sacrifices that are made in this process. The biggest one is that the shape of the tree will not be as desirable as it would be with the recommended pruning levels. The first few years of an apple tree's life are usually spent being shaped into a healthy tree with a single leader. If pruning is put off, the tree will develop without the optimal shape. Branches may be unbalanced making the tree less stable and prone to breakage. The end result may be a tree that produces early fruit, but not the best quality fruit and without the strong structure needed for a long life.

By Ruth de Jauregui Updated November 28, 2018

The apple tree (Malus domestica) begins producing fruit after two to 10 years, depending on the type of rootstock or if it's grown from seed. Dwarf trees begin producing fruit first, while seedlings require a minimum of six years of growth before fruiting. When planting an apple tree, plant two or add a crabapple (Malus spp) to the garden. Most apple trees are self-sterile and need to cross-pollinate with another variety to produce fruit. Depending on the variety, apple trees are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 10, and crabapples are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8.

A dwarf tree will begin producing fruit two to three years after you plant it. Dwarf trees are generally grafted onto M.9 or Mark rootstocks. These rootstocks reduce the tree's mature size to 6 to 12 feet tall. For best results, stake the tree when you transplant it into the yard or garden; it needs the extra support as it grows and fruits.

Semi-dwarf apple trees begin producing fruit two to four years after transplanting in the garden. While the varieties M.26, M.7a, MM.106 and M.2 produce semi-dwarf fruit trees, you still have to prune the tree to keep it less than 22 feet tall.

A standard, or full-size, tree begins producing fruit four to six years after you plant it. The rootstock may be P.18 or MM.11, which produces a large tree of up to 30 feet tall with an equally wide canopy. You can keep the tree smaller by pruning every year, in late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant.

Trees grown from seed require six to 10 years to produce fruit. While you might sprout seeds taken from fruit grown on a dwarf fruit tree, that seedling is likely to grow into a full-size tree. The original tree was dwarfed by its rootstock. The seedling's fruit is unlikely to resemble its parent; many apple varieties are hybrids and are reproduced by grafting.

Apple trees require full sun in a well-drained location. In addition, avoid planting apple trees at the bottom of a hill, where cold air settles in spring. A pocket of freezing air can kill blossoms and developing fruit.

Remove all vegetation in a 4-foot circle around each tree. Grass and weeds compete with the young tree for water and nutrients. Plant dwarf trees 4 to 8 feet apart, semi-dwarf trees 8 to 16 feet apart, and standard trees 14 to 18 feet apart or more. Unwrap bare-root trees and place each one in a bucket with its roots covered with water for at least an hour and no more than 24 hours. Dig each planting hole slightly larger and deeper than the tree's rootball. Fill the planting hole with water, and allow the moisture to soak into the soil.

Add excavated soil to make a mound in the center of the hole. Spread the roots over the mound. Keep the dark soil line on the trunk just above ground, and backfill with soil. Tamp the soil gently; water the tree, and add more soil if necessary so the soil meets the original soil line on the trunk and slopes gently away. This prevents water from standing next to the trunk.

Cover the bare soil around the tree with a 4-inch layer of mulch, pulling it 4 to 6 inches from the trunk. Pull weeds when they appear.

Water the young tree weekly. Reduce watering in winter or when it rains. Once the tree is established, water it every two or three weeks.

Fertilize young trees monthly from April to July with 20 pounds of well-decomposed manure per tree. Rake the mulch back, and then spread the manure from 6 inches from the trunk to the outer edge of the tree's canopy. Water, then replace the mulch around the tree. Fertilize mature trees in spring and fall with a balanced slow-release fertilizer, and water it in thoroughly.

Prune the tree to a central trunk. The first pruning should be when you plant the tree, and then continue shaping the tree every winter or early spring. Remove crossing, broken and dead branches. During the growing season, remove water sprouts growing straight up from the branches and any growth below the graft on the trunk.

Spray the tree with dormant oil in winter, when it is still dormant. Wear gloves, goggles and a mask and do not spray on windy or rainy days. Monitor the tree for pests. Knock aphids and whiteflies off the leaves with a blast of water.

Every gardener needs to find out how long does it take for an apple tree to bear fruit before they can plant their own.

Apples are a great addition to any landscape, and besides that, they provide an abundance of fresh fruit.  Many gardeners love the thought of growing their juicy apples.

However, growing this fruit takes a long-term commitment.

It takes work to ensure your apple fruit bears healthy fruit from pruning to pest control.  Gardeners who have small spaces can still grow apples but choose the dwarf apple trees. Here is our advice on planting, growing, and harvesting healthy apples.

Facts About An Apple Tree And How They Bear Fruit

• Appletree is known as a hardy tree, and it grows best in hardiness zones 3 to 5.  If termed long-season, the apple tree will do best in zones 5 to 8.
• They need at least 8 hours of sun per day during the growing season
• You have to plant two varieties next to each other for successful pollination or add a crabapple
• 2-3 years after planting dwarf apple trees will start bearing fruit
• To bear fruit standard-size trees can take up to 8 years
• Prune your apple trees annually to keep them healthy and productive
• Some varieties are more susceptible to disease and insect damage than others.

Learn How to Plant a Lemon Tree Outdoors and How to Prune a Lemon Tree

The apple tree (Malus Domestica) begins to produce fruits 2-10 years after planting.  This depends on the variety of the tree, and whether it was grown from seed or rootstock.

Dwarf Rootstock

A dwarf tree takes 2 to 3 years after planting to produce fruits.  These are grafted onto Mark rootstocks to reduce the tree’s mature size from 12 to 6 feet tall.  Be sure to support your tree; it needs extra support as it grows.

Semi-Dwarf Rootstock

This type starts producing fruit 2 to 4 years after transplanting in a garden.  It requires pruning to keep it at least less than 22 feet tall.

Standard Rootstock

This type begins to produce fruit 4 to 6 years after planting.  The rootstock may be MM.11 or P.18 and it produces a large tree of about 30 feet tall with a wide canopy.  Keep the tree smaller by pruning it each year in late winter or early spring when it’s dormant.

Grown from Seed

Apple trees are grown directly from seed take between 6 to 10 years to bear fruit.  The seeds are likely to grow into a full-size tree even if they were from a dwarf tree.  The seedlings’ fruit is not likely to resemble its parent because many apple varieties are hybrid but are produced by grafting.

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Growing And Caring For The Apple Tree In Order To Bear Fruit

As we mentioned earlier in this article, apple trees take commitment because they need a lot of care.  Below we break down the care into each month to help you do the right thing at the right time. This care is for both existing and new trees.

• March.  This is the best month to prune the existing trees right after the cold months have passed.  Prune in this month before growth begins.

• April – May.  As soon as the soil is warm enough and can be worked on, plant bare-root trees.  For existing trees, if last year’s growth was less than 12 inches, apply compost manure around the base to encourage better growth.

• May – June.  Plant potted plant after the threat of frost has ended.  For existing trees, flowers begin to bud and turn pink.  Watch out for disease and insect symptoms to treat the early sign of any sight.

• May – October.  Keep watering your trees as you would any other fruit tree in your yard.

• June – July.  Thin out the fruits by removing all the small and weak fruits to encourage larger fruit growth.

• August –October.  Harvest your ready fruits.  Test for ripe fruits by tasting one fruit that seems to be fully colored. It is tastes too starchy; give the fruits a few days before harvesting.

• October – November.  Rake up fallen fruit and leaves and put them in compost or discard them.

• November.  Prepare the apple tree for winter by wrapping it to prevent injury.

• November – March.  Allow the tree to rest and watch out for any deer and vole damage. If you notice any damage, put fencing around your tree to protect it from further damage.

When Do Apple Trees Produce Fruit? Take-Home

Apples are pollinated by bees and flies transferring pollen from flowers of one apple tree to another.  You do not need to plant many trees to enjoy fresh apples.  Instead, two apple trees will be more than enough for your family to enjoy and share.

Check around your neighbor’s farm to see if they have crabapple trees or any apple trees growing.  If yes, you can plant one apple tree and still enjoy a good harvest of fresh apples.

Do not be left behind!