Malus domestica, apple
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Malus domestica

apple

Rosaceae
Central Asia — descended primarily from {Malus sieversii} (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) with hybridization from {M. sylvestris} (European crabapple) and other wild species; cultivated for 4,000+ years

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At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height15-30 feet (4.5-9 m)
Width15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m)
Maturity10 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
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Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsFragrant (light)Container Friendly
Maintenancehigh

Overview

Malus domestica is apple (common apple), a spreading deciduous tree growing 15-30 feet (4.5-9 m) tall and 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m) wide on standard rootstock. White to pink 5-petaled flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) in clusters at spur tips in April-May. Fruit (pome) 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) — harvest August through October. Medium green ovate finely serrated leaves 2-5 inches (5-13 cm). In Rosaceae. Descended from M. sieversii (Central Asia). Most cultivars require a compatible pollinator cultivar for cross-pollination. The highest-maintenance fruit tree commonly grown — apple scab, fire blight, cedar-apple rust, codling moth, and apple maggot all require management. This high disease and pest pressure is the primary limitation. Disease-resistant cultivars: 'Liberty', 'Enterprise', 'Freedom'. Tree size controlled by rootstock: dwarf (M9), semi-dwarf (M26), standard (MM111). Requires 500-1,000 chill hours. Not drought-tolerant. Non-toxic (fruit edible). Zones 3-8. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Descended primarily from M. sieversii native to Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) with hybridization from M. sylvestris (European crabapple). Cultivated for 4,000+ years.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a fruit tree in orchards, edible gardens, and residential yards spaced 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m) on standard rootstock (or 6-10 feet / 1.8-3 m on dwarf rootstock). Also in containers of at least 15 gallons (57 L) on dwarf rootstock. Edible fruit. High maintenance. Choose disease-resistant cultivars. Non-toxic. Zones 3-8.

How to Identify

Identified by white to pink 5-petaled flowers in clusters at spur tips on a spreading deciduous tree with simple ovate finely serrated pubescent leaves and pome fruit 2-4 inches (5-10 cm). Distinguished from ornamental crabapples (Malus spp. — fruit under 2 inches / 5 cm) by the larger fruit. In Rosaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 30'
Width/Spread15' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Mid spring (April-May). White to pink 5-petaled flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) in clusters (corymbs) at spur tips. Lightly fragrant. 2 weeks of bloom. Bee-pollinated (cross-pollination required for most cultivars). Fruit ripens August-October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pink, 5-petaled, 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) diameter, in clusters (corymbs) at spur tips; lightly fragrant

Foliage Description

Medium green, simple, ovate, finely serrated, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, pubescent beneath; turns yellow in fall — fall color unremarkable

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years to first fruit on standard rootstock

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Plant a compatible pollinator cultivar within 50 feet (15 m). Disease-resistant cultivars reduce spray needs. Annual pruning required. Thin fruit to 1 per cluster for larger fruit. Fire blight, apple scab, codling moth — monitor and manage. Not drought-tolerant. Non-toxic. Zones 3-8.

Pruning

Prune in winter dormancy (January-February). Train to an open-center (vase) or central-leader form. Remove water sprouts (vigorous vertical shoots), crossing branches, and dead wood. Thin to allow air circulation — reduces disease. Fire blight: remove infected branches 12 inches (30 cm) below infection, disinfect tools.

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

high

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 15 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic