Apple trees are a classic addition to any home garden or orchard. With over 7,500 varieties to choose from, selecting the right apple tree for your needs can seem overwhelming. However, understanding key factors like climate, disease resistance, ripening times, and intended use will help you pick the perfect trees for a productive and delicious harvest.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 8 best apple tree varieties for backyard growing and highlight their standout traits Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or planting your first orchard, these selections promise to reward you with bushels of crisp, juicy apples for years to come
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Apple Tree
Before diving into the list let’s go over some key considerations when selecting an apple tree for your property
Climate and Growing Zone – Most apple trees need chill hours (hours below 45°F) during dormancy to produce fruit Choose varieties suited for your USDA Hardiness Zone and region.
Disease Resistance – Look for varieties bred with resistance to common diseases like apple scab, fire blight, and powdery mildew.
Ripening Time – Stagger ripening periods to enjoy fresh apples from late summer through fall.
Pollination – Plant two compatible varieties that bloom at the same time for cross-pollination and better yields.
Intended Use – Some apples are better for eating fresh vs. cooking, baking, cider, storage, etc.
Tree Size – Standard trees reach 15-20 feet tall. Dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks limit height to 8-12 feet.
The 8 Best Apple Trees for Your Home Orchard
Based on their stellar performance, taste, and ease of growth, here are my top recommendations:
1. Honeycrisp
Honeycrisp is treasured for its supremely sweet, crisp, and juicy texture. This cold hardy variety develops a bright red skin overlaying a yellow background. The balanced flavor has hints of vanilla.
- Zones: 3-8
- Chill Hours: 800-1000
- Use: Snacking, salads, baking
- Ripens: Mid-September
2. Gala
Gala boasts a distinctive yellow skin with bold red striping. The aromatic fruits are very sweet and juicy. This variety is also quite heat tolerant.
- Zones: 4-8
- Chill Hours: 500
- Use: Snacking, salads, cooking
- Ripens: August-September
3. Fuji
The super sweet Fuji was developed in Japan. It bears large fruits with yellow-green skin flushed with light red. The dense, crisp flesh is excellent for eating fresh.
- Zones: 4-9
- Chill Hours: 200-400
- Use: Snacking, baking, cider
- Ripens: Mid-October
4. Pink Lady (Cripps Pink)
Pink Lady is aptly named for its lovely pink blush over yellow skin. It offers a perfect sweet-tart balance and firm, crunchy bite. The tree resists scab and mildew.
- Zones: 6-9
- Chill Hours: 200-400
- Use: Snacking, salads, baking
- Ripens: October-November
5. Granny Smith
A longtime favorite, Granny Smith bears large green fruits with tart, crisp flesh. It holds up well when cooked and offers excellent storage capacity. The tree is quite vigorous.
- Zones: 6-9
- Chill Hours: 400
- Use: Snacking, baking, cooking
- Ripens: October-November
6. Liberty
Liberty was developed specially for resistance to common apple diseases. The medium-sized red fruits are crisp with a mildly sweet flavor. It also tolerates warmer regions well.
- Zones: 4-8
- Chill Hours: 800-1000
- Use: Snacking, cooking, cider
- Ripens: Late September
7. Red Delicious
Red Delicious is instantly recognizable for its vivid, deep red skin. The sweet flavor is best suited for fresh eating. Growers appreciate the tree’s strong, upright growth habit.
- Zones: 5-8
- Chill Hours: 700-800
- Use: Snacking, salads
- Ripens: September-October
8. Golden Delicious
Sweet and mellow Yellow Delicious bears fruits with pale green-yellow skin. It thrives in a wide range of climates. The tree is a tip bearer, so it requires careful pruning.
- Zones: 5-8
- Chill Hours: 700
- Use: Snacking, baking, cooking
- Ripens: September-October
Tips for Successfully Growing Apple Trees
- Amend soil with compost and keep trees regularly watered, especially during dry periods.
- Plant dwarfs 8-10 feet apart, standards 15-20 feet apart. Allow ample space for growth.
- Prune trees in early spring to shape and improve air circulation and light penetration.
- Prevent disease with sanitary pruning practices. Disinfect tools between trees.
- Protect trunks from rodents and sunscald in winter. Mature trees only need light pruning.
- Thin crowded branches and excessive fruit in early summer to maximize apple size.
- Pick apples when background color changes from green to yellow. Store ripe fruits in cool conditions.
With so many fantastic varieties to select from, it can be tricky settling on the perfect apple trees for your yard. But keeping climate, intended use, and other key factors in mind will set your orchard up for success. Plant wisely, tend with care, and you’ll be rewarded with bushels of homegrown goodness for decades to come.
Planting and caring for young trees
Learn how to choose a location, prepare for planting and space trees.
Apple trees require full sun, so choose a spot where the sun shines directly on the tree for at least 8 hours each day.
When it comes to soil, apple trees can grow in most soils as long as there is no standing water and the pH of the soil is between 6 and 7.
- Have your soil tested to determine pH
- pH of the soil should be between 6 and 7
- Apple trees can grow in most soils as long as there is no standing water
- Avoid planting in areas where water stands for several hours after a rain
If you are unsure about your soil pH, conduct a soil test to determine soil conditions before planting and amend the soil as suggested by the results.
How much space do you need for apple trees? A good rule of thumb for a garden fruit tree is to provide at least as much horizontal space as the anticipated height of the tree. So, if your tree will grow up to 8 feet high, make sure there are 8 feet between it and the next tree.
Planting trees too close together will increase shading and reduce the number and quality of the fruit coming from your tree.
- Standard trees: 20-25 feet
- Semi-dwarf trees: 12-15 feet
- Dwarf trees: 6-8 feet
- Dig a hole for each tree that is no deeper than the root ball, and about twice as wide.
- When you dig the soil out of the hole, pile it on a tarp or piece of plywood so its easier to get it back in the hole.
- You may mix in up to one-third by volume compost, peat moss or other organic matter.
- Most of what goes back in the planting hole should be the soil you took out of the hole.
- There is no need to add fertilizer to the hole.
- If you purchased bare root trees, closely examine the root system and remove encircling roots or J-shaped roots that could eventually strangle the trunk.
- For trees in containers, inspect the root systems for encircling woody roots.
- If woody roots are wrapped around in a circle, straighten them or make several cuts through the root ball prior to planting.
- This helps the plant produce a stronger root system and prevents the formation of girdling roots that eventually weaken the tree.
- Position each tree so that the graft union is about 4 inches above the soil line. The graft union is a swelling where the variety meets the rootstock.
- If the graft union is placed close to or below the soil line, the variety (scion) will root, causing trees to grow to full size.
- Spread the roots of bare root trees, making sure none are bent.
- Have someone help you get the tree standing up straight.
- Begin adding the soil, tamping to remove air pockets as you go.
- After the hole is filled, tamp gently and water thoroughly to remove remaining air pockets.
- The soil may settle an inch or two. If this happens, add more soil.
Two trees can provide plenty of apples
Apples are pollinated by insects, with bees and flies transferring pollen from flowers of one apple tree to those of another. But you dont need to plant a whole orchard to enjoy apples right off the tree. Two trees will reward any family with enough fruit to enjoy and share with friends.
Apples require pollen from a different apple variety to grow fruit. If you only have room in your yard for one tree, there may be crab apples in your neighborhood to provide the pollen your tree needs.
Most apple trees are grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks and only grow to be about 8-10 feet tall. So even if youre short on space, you probably have space for two trees.
Top 5 Most Popular Apple Trees (and Their Pollinating Partners!) | NatureHills.com
FAQ
Which apple is easiest to grow?
- 1st GoldRush. GoldRush is the ideal apple tree for beginners. …
- 2nd Alkmene. Alkmene is a reliable heavy-cropping mid-season apple, originally from Germany. …
- 3rd Enterprise. …
- 4th Liberty. …
- 5th Akane.
What is the best tasting apple?
The Honeycrisp is hands-down the best tasting apple in the world.
What’s the best month to plant apple trees?
The best time to plant an apple tree typically depends on your climate, but generally, the ideal times are: Spring: Late March to early May is a common planting time. This allows the tree to establish roots before the heat of summer. Fall: September to early November is also a good time in many regions.