WHEN WILL I BE ABLE TO EAT AN APPLE?

Apples, apple-crabs and crabapples will begin to bear fruit when they are 2 to 8 years old depending on the variety.

It is not wise to allow a tree to bear a heavy crop of fruit for the first three years after transplanting. The tree requires this time to become well established in its new location. Thin the fruit severely during the first few years, only allowing a few to remain.

Thinning the fruit will also help to increase the fruit size produced by older trees.

Trees can be encouraged to fruit sooner by keeping them well pruned and paying attention to soil fertility. Soils high in nitrogen produce lots of leaf growth but don’t promote the development of fruit buds.

Amanda Chedzoy

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