Culinary Apple Malus

Malus is a genus of over 50 species of small flowering deciduous trees or shrubs in the Roseaceae (rose) family.   These trees range from the large culinary apples seen in grocery stores to the crab apple trees grown mostly as an ornamental for their flowers. They can be 14- 40 feet tall with an open to rounded crown. There are numerous dwarf and columnar varieties available also that are appropriate for the home landscape.

Give apple trees plenty of sun and plant in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil. Once established they are drought tolerant. Generally, apple trees do best in cold winter and cool summer areas. High humidity in summer leads to increased diseases.

If you are growing culinary apples, make sure you check the cold day requirements and if they need another specimen for cross-pollination. 

Apples can be medium to high maintenance due to insects and diseases. Prune as needed to thin out dense twigginess and open up the crown for good air circulation.  Many apple trees are grafted so be sure to leave the graft aboveground. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: fire blight, rust, apple scab and powdery mildew can be problems. Mites, aphids, Japanese beetles and apple tree borer can be problem insects.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.