Green apple trees are a popular choice for home gardeners looking to grow their own fruit Once full grown, green apple trees like Granny Smith provide an abundance of crisp, tart apples perfect for eating fresh or using in recipes This guide covers everything you need to know about full grown green apple trees from planting to care to harvest.
Choosing a Green Apple Tree
One of the most well-known types of green apple is the Granny Smith. This Australian heirloom apple was found in the garden of Maria Ann “Granny” Smith in 1868 as a seedling. Granny Smith apples are bright green, medium-sized apples that taste crisp and sour. You can eat them fresh, cook, bake, or make applesauce with them.
Other green apple varieties to consider include
- Pristine: Sweet-tart flavor, resists browning
- Zestar!: Early harvest, sweet-tart flavor
- Honeycrisp: Sweet, juicy, crisp
- Crispin: Firm, tangy, good for cooking
If you want to buy a green apple tree, choose a grafted dwarf or semi-dwarf tree. That way, when it grows up, it will only be 6 to 10 feet tall, which will make it easier to harvest and care for. You can also choose trees that come in pots because they grow faster.
Planting Your Green Apple Tree
Green apple trees need full sun (at least 6 hours per day) and well-drained soil. Before planting your tree, test and amend the soil if needed to bring the pH between 6.0-6.5. Dig a hole 2-3 times as wide as the root ball and 6-12 inches deeper. Place the tree in the hole, positioning it so the first branches will be facing the directions you want. Refill the hole with soil, lightly tamping as you go to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting.
If you want, you can stake the tree for the first year to help it grow strong roots. Make sure the stakes aren’t too tight; you want some movement to help the trunk get thicker.
Caring for a Full Grown Green Apple Tree
It is very important to take good care of your green apple tree so that it grows to full size and produces lots of fruit. Follow these tips:
Watering: Young trees need regular watering for at least the first 3 months. Established trees need about 1-2 inches of water per week.
Fertilizing: Feed trees in early spring with a balanced organic fertilizer. Compost and aged manure also work well.
Pruning: Prune to shape the tree and remove dead or damaged branches in late winter. Thinning cuts help admit sunlight.
Pollination: Most apple trees need a pollination partner nearby. Granny Smith is self-pollinating but still benefits from another variety.
Pest control: Common apple tree pests are coddling moths, aphids, mites, and apple maggots. Maintain tree health and use organic pest control methods when needed.
Protection: Fencing, netting, tree guards, and wildlife repellents may be needed to protect against deer, rodents, and other hungry critters.
With proper site selection, planting, and care your green apple tree will grow strong and healthy, reaching full maturity in 5-8 years.
What to Expect with a Full Grown Green Apple Tree
So what can you expect once your green apple tree is fully mature? Here are some traits of full grown apple trees:
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Height/spread: Dwarf trees reach 6-10 feet tall and wide. Full-size green apple trees can grow 15-20 feet tall and wide.
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Foliage: Oval, toothed green leaves turn yellow in fall. Full grown trees have dense canopies.
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Flowers: Clusters of white or light pink flowers bloom in spring.
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Fruiting: Apple trees start fruiting 2-4 years after planting. Mature trees produce 20-100 lbs of fruit per year.
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Root system: Apple tree roots are aggressive and extend 1.5-2 times the branch spread. Limit competition with turfgrass.
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Lifespan: With proper care, apple trees can remain productive for over 20 years. Pruning helps maintain health and fruiting as trees age.
Harvesting Apples from a Full Grown Tree
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Timeframe: Apple harvest ranges from late summer through fall depending on variety. Granny Smiths ripen September-November.
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Testing ripeness: Apples ripen from the inside out, so color alone doesn’t indicate readiness. Gently lift and twist a fruit. If ripe, it should come off easily.
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Care: Pick apples by hand, leaving the stems on. Handle gently to avoid bruising.
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Storage: Store ripe apples in a cool place for 2-3 weeks. Refrigeration can extend shelf life for months.
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Uses: Fresh eating, baking pies or other desserts, sauces, juicing, and more. Granny Smiths excel in baking.
Full Grown Green Apple Trees Bring Years of Enjoyment
When cared for properly, a green apple tree like Granny Smith can provide bountiful harvests for over two decades. The sweet aroma of apple blossoms in spring gives way to crisp, tart fruits ready for picking by fall. Full grown apple trees truly are the gift that keeps on giving. With a mature green apple tree in your yard, you’ll be able to enjoy this delicious, versatile fruit fresh from your own garden for years to come.
slow release fertilizer like the one we carry online. Prune your apple in late winter to remove any dead, dying, or crowded branches.
The best way to prevent disease and pests is by providing the appropriate care for your plants. Proper location choice, watering, and fertilization are the keys to your success. Scale, Aphids, Mites, and Apple Maggots are insects that can affect Apple trees. You can treat the scale, mites, and aphids naturally with horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. For severe infections you can use pesticides like carbaryl, also known as Sevin. Apple Maggot can be treated simply with traps you can purchase at any garden center. Apple trees can encounter fungal issues. Generally, treating after infection isnt extremely effective, so if you have problems yearly treat in early spring with fungicides to prevent infection. Neem Oil is an organic method of treating and preventing some fungal diseases and pests. It can be effective, but the entire tree must be coated in order for this method to be effective. Landscape ideas
Apple trees are lovely in the landscape. Use them like you would any other flowering tree! They offer an attractive look, blooms, AND a healthy snack! Use as a specimen or focal tree in your yard, garden, or even a large mixed bed. Apple trees look gorgeous lining a long driveway or on either side of a short one. Plant your Granny Smith apple tree at least 15 feet from other trees or your home to give it plenty of space to thrive.
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How to Grow an Apple Tree from SEED to FRUIT in 3 YEARS!
FAQ
How big do green apple trees get?
| Soil Type | Well Drained |
|---|---|
| Sunlight | Full, Partial |
| Drought Tolerance | Good |
| Mature Height | 15-20 Feet |
| Mature Width | 15-20 Feet |
How long does it take for a green apple tree to bear fruit?
Dwarf apple trees will start bearing fruit 2 to 3 years after planting. Standard size trees can take up to 8 years to bear fruit.
Where is the best place to plant a Granny Smith apple tree?
Be sure to choose a sunny site. For best fruiting, an apple tree needs “full sunlight” (6-8 hours of direct summer sun daily). The best exposure for apples is a north or east facing areas. Spring planting is recommended in central and northern areas.
How long does it take to grow a full-size apple tree?
In general, an apple tree grown from a seed needs 6 to 10 years to bear fruit. However, young trees and dwarf trees can start producing as soon as November 18, 2024.