Malus

Malus is the botanical name for a group of popular trees commonly known as Apple trees and Crab Apple Trees. These small, deciduous trees and shrubs are suitable for growing in the temperate zones. Their lovely, fragrant blossoms are a welcome sight in the spring and the arrival of their delicious and ornamental fruits is anticipated. Below, Crab Apples and Apples will be described separately.

Crab Apples - Crab Apples are easy to grow and hardy. These trees can be grown in all parts of the U.S. except for Florida, the Gulf Coast, and parts of the Southwest. There are varieties that are able to withstand the cold as far North as southern Canada. The 2- to 4-inch, simple leaves of these trees are alternately arranged on the branches, with toothed and sometimes lobed edges. Crab Apples usually begin to bloom the year after planting. In the spring, these trees are blanketed with clusters of fragrant flowers, 1 to 2 inches in diameter. They may be single, semi-double or double, having many overlapping petals. Most Crab Apples produce numerous clusters of 1/4- to 2-inch fruits that may be varying shades of green, yellow or red. These fruits can be left for the birds or used to make jelly. Crab Apples are distinguished from the common Apples by the size of their fruits. Generally, "apples" that measure 2 inches or less are Crab Apples; any larger and the trees are called Apple. Many varieties of Crab Apples have been bred that have different colors of blossoms ranging from white through shades of pink to shades of rose and crimson. Crab Apples on average attain a height ranging from 15 to 25 feet with an equal spread.

Apples - Apples are the most important of the crops grown in the temperate regions. Temperature is the most important factor in the cultivation of the Apple. They grow best in Ontario, Canada and southward to Virginia and west toward the Mississippi Valley. They are also grown extensively in British Columbia, Washington, California and Oregon. There are a few varieties that can be grown in more southern climates, but generally, there must be enough winter cold to thoroughly chill the fruit buds. M. sylvestris, the wild form of the common Apple, is a handsome tree bearing small green, yellow or reddish-green sour or sweet apples. The oval to broadly ovate, pointy-tipped leaves grow from 2 to 4 inches long. They have finely, sharp toothed edges. The upper surfaces are bright green and the undersides are lighter and covered with white fuzz. Many varieties have been developed for their attractive flowers and better-tasting apples. Apple trees grow an average height of 30 to 40 feet. The trunks are short and the crown of branches is fairly round. The wood of the Apple tree is heavy, hardy and close grained. It is a good to burn and can be used to smoke meats. It can also be used in making cabinets and tool handles.

Pot Cultivation

Crab Apples - These trees can be grown in loamy soil that is from light to heavy and even soil that is clayey. They can be planted in alkaline soil, though the best is one that is moist, well-drained and acidic (pH 5.0 to 6.5). They do well in full sun. It would be beneficial to mulch the trees, during the first summer after planting, with decayed manure or compost and leaves. Young trees should be pruned in the winter or early spring. This consists of clearing branches from a certain length of the trunk and maintaining a fairly open head to allow light and air to circulate through. Older trees hardly ever need pruning.

Apples - Careful consideration should be given when choosing a location for your Apple tree. They should have adequate air circulation to prevent the growth of diseases that thrive on moist foliage. Low spots should be avoided, as these tend to hold pockets of frosty air late in the spring when the buds are opening. The best place to grow your Apple is one where the ground slopes very slightly and is higher than the surrounding soil to provide good air circulation and drainage. They should be planted beyond the branches and roots of large, shading trees. The soil shouldn't ever hold standing water. Good drainage, with the water table about 6 feet beneath the surface, is necessary because it encourages the roots to grow deeply, thus promoting good stability; the deeper the soil the roots have to penetrate the more area they have to absorb nutrients and moisture. When the hole is dug for the tree, stable manure, at the rate of 3 to 6 bushels per every 100 sq. ft. of soil, should be mixed in. In milder regions, planting may be done in the fall; in very cold climates, it should be done in the spring. However, if the trees are planted too late in the spring and hot, dry weather follows, the trees may make poor growth or even die. Spring planting should always be done as soon as the soil can be worked. When purchasing your Apple tree, choose one that is 1 to 2 years of age. Prepare your tree for planting by trimming the ends of damaged and broken roots. The hole should be large enough to hold the roots without crowding. When digging the hole, keep the top 6 inches of the darker topsoil in one pile and the subsoil in another. Mix the topsoil with a half bushel of wet peat moss or the same amount of good compost. This should be placed in the hole among the roots. Make sure the tree is standing straight up and the soil is worked in and under the roots well; every so often pack it down so there are no air spaces. Once you've finished, firmly pack down the soil a final time. During the planting process, make sure the roots don't dry out. When finished, the tree should be set 2 or 3 inches deeper than it was planted before.

Cultivation - Weeds should be kept to a minimum, especially the first year after planting. During periods of dry weather, the ground should be soaked 8 to 10 inches deep. In dry climates, regular waterings are necessary. It is very beneficial to mulch the soil around the trees. There are many different materials that can be used including rain-spoiled hay, straws, wheat, sawdust, marsh hay and peat moss.

Pruning - The trees should be pruned while they are dormant. Care should be taken when pruning your Apple trees because too much will dwarf your tree and delay fruit production. The object of pruning is to form a tree that is strong enough to hold heavy crops without breakage. The formation of weak crotches should be prevented. A weak crotch is one that has two equal-sized branches growing from the same point. If the tree is small, one of the branches should be completely removed; however, if the tree is older, one of the branches should be cut back gradually each year until it is either removed or becomes a lateral of the main branch. When the tree is at its bearing years, it needs heavier pruning. This consists of cutting out weak branches at the center of the tree. An overcrowded tree will make spraying and harvesting difficult and produce small, dull apples. At whatever stage you are pruning, it is better to prune a little at a time than to cut back the tree severely.

Spraying - Apples are susceptible to attack from many pests and diseases. To produce a good crop of Apples, thorough and timely spraying must be followed. Since the regions vary in atmospheric conditions, such as temperature and humidity, and in the pests and diseases that thrive in the area, different sprays must be used in accordance, in order to be effective to your trees. The County Farm Bureaus can usually provide direction in choosing a spray ideal for your local conditions. In addition to the susceptibility of pests and diseases are attacks from rodents. A 3-foot space around the trunk should be kept clear of mulch, sod, or anything that mice will hide in. A few inches of gravel mounded up against the trunk is another way to protect and so are mice baits. Injury from rabbits can be prevented by surrounding the trunk, 15 to 20 inches high, with wire screen.

Harvest - Obtaining apples with excellent flavor and long storage capabilities means harvesting at the right time. Summer and early fall varieties ripen over a period of weeks, therefore several pickings will be needed to bring in the fruit at the right times. Early apples should be picked when still hard to prevent them over ripening on the tree and getting spongy. The apples should be picked by hand. Don't shake them to the ground because they will bruise. In the cooler northern states, the apples may be stored in a building with ventilators and good insulation. They are opened on cool nights and closed during the warm days. The object is to keep the temperature as close to 32� F. as possible. If the autumn temperatures are too warm, the storage life of the apples will be shortened.

Propagation

Crab Apples - True species can be increased by sowing seeds, though it is better to bud or graft onto stocks. Named varieties must be increased by grafting or budding as they do not come true from seed.

Apples - Most Apple trees are budded on seedling roots. Most Apple trees must be pollinated with pollen from another compatible variety. Most varieties will pollinate each other but a few special kinds such as Rhode Island Greening, Gravenstein, Baldwin and Stayman Winesap and some others that aren't so important are poor pollinators for other kinds. It is important that varieties with overlapping blooming times are planted together.