What is the oldest living apple tree

What is the oldest living apple tree

An integral part of the American experience, “As American as Apple Pie” (which in truth is not American), the apple is nevertheless ubiquitous in U.S. culture. We put it in desserts, give it to our favorite teachers, wash our hair with its essence and put it in our lunches. So common, it’s easy to take the simple apple for granted, but it actually has a rather interesting history.

A Member of the Rose Family

Otherwise known as Malus domestica, the apple is a member of the Rosaceae family, and its siblings include the strawberry (Fraaria L.), the plum (Prunus L.), the pear (Pyrus L.), the blackberry (Rubus L.) and the rose (Rosa L.).

Common characteristics of this family include blossoms with a hypanthium (a floral cup on the flower), radial symmetry, 5 distinct petals, and many stamen and stipules (leaf-like structures).

Recent scholarship has shown that the modern apple we enjoy today started initially with the wild apple species M. sieversii that later intermingled with M. sylvestris.

How Apple Trees Make Fruit

On an apple blossom, the parts that turn into the fruit we eat (called the “pome”) are the “basal portions of the petals, calyx [sepals], and stamen [composed of an anther and filament] . . . fused into hypanthium tissue and attached to the ovary [which is] below [the other parts].”

Apples blossoms have to be fertilized, and each blossom has both male and female parts. The stamen, with its anther and filament, is male, while the ovary and stigmas are female.

Each apple’s life begins with a bud that slowly develops leaves, then a blossom. When the blossom opens, the stamen (with the pollen-rich anther) is exposed, as is the base of blossom where the nectar is located.

Bees and other pollinators seeking out nectar brush against the anther and inadvertently pick up pollen. As the bee moves from blossom to blossom drinking nectar, some of its hitchhiking pollen is rubbed off on the blossom’s stigmas [which transfer the pollen to the ovary].

Once fertilized, the blossom’s anthers (which have shed their pollen) along with the petals shrivel up and the latter falls off. Next, the stamen dries up and the fruit quickly develops underneath the sepals [which ultimately become the brown bits opposite the stem on a ripe apple].

History of Cultivated Apples

The naturalist Henry David Thoreau noted the close relationship between people and apples, since before recorded history:

It is remarkable how closely the history of the Apple-tree is connected with that of man. The geologist tells us that the order of the Rosaceae, which includes the Apple . . . were introduced only a short time previous to the appearance of man on the globe [and] . . . traces have lately been found at the bottom of the Swiss lakes [with people] supposed to be older than the foundation of Rome . . . The apple was early so important, and so generally distributed, that its name traced to its root in many languages signifies fruit in general . . . .

Scientists believe that apples were first domesticated in the Tian Shan region of southern Kazakhstan. In fact, by as early as 2000 BC, domesticated apples were being grafted in the Near East.

The Greeks and Romans introduced the domesticated apple to North Africa and Europe during their trading and conquests. These fathers of western civilization were equally impressed with the fruit, using it as a central device in some of their most lasting stories, like this myth from about 700-800 BC that explains the roots of the Trojan War:

All the gods were invited [to a wedding] with the exception of Eris, or Discord. Enraged at her exclusion, the goddess threw a golden apple among the guests with the inscription, “For the most beautiful.” Thereupon Juno [Hera], Venus [Aphrodite] and Minerva [Athena], each claimed the apple. Jupiter [Zeus] not willing to decide in so delicate a matter, sent the goddesses to . . . the beautiful shepherd Paris . . . and to him was committed the decision. . . . Juno promised him power and riches, Minerva glory and renown in war, and Venus the fairest of women for his wife [Helen] . . . . Paris decided in favor of Venus and gave her the golden apple . . . . Under [her] protection . . . Paris sailed to Greece [and] . . . aided by Venus, persuaded [Helen] to slope with him, and carried her to Troy. . . .

It was because of the Greek usage of the apple in many tales that the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden is so often depicted today as an apple. Aquila Ponticus, who was a second century translator translating the Old Testament from Hebrew to Greek, took the liberty of translating it as an apple tree, even though the original text doesn’t say that. He did this because he was translating it into Greek for Greeks, and, as alluded to, in Greek mythology apples were seen as symbols of desire and destruction.

Original Colonists

The crab apple tree is the only malus species native to North America and likely greeted the first European explorers, who found the tart fruit a poor substitute for Malus domestica. This is likely why the settlers of Jamestown brought apple tree cuttings and seeds with them when they founded the colony.

Notably, however, most apples during colonial times were not eaten, but were instead used to make cider. More than just a treat, cider was commonly served, even to children, since reliably safe drinking water was a rarity in the early colonies.

Settlers

In order to grow the young country, many colonies (and later the states) set requirements before granting land rights (known as patents) including the mandate to improve the land (called “seating and planting):

The act defined . . . with great particularity, what should be deemed sufficient seating and planting. The patentee was required . . . to clear and tend three acres, or to clear and drain three acres of swamp , or to . . . there keep . . . cattle . . . sheep or goats. [For] every £ 5 expended in . . . planting trees . . . should save 50 acres [of unimproved land, also granted with the patent].

Since apples were so useful, among the trees most planted were at least two apple trees since the species needs “a second tree for cross-pollination to occur.”

Obviously, it would be difficult for settlers in the Northwest Territory (in colonial times, this meant northwest of the Ohio River) to drag seedlings along in the late 18 th and early 19 th centuries. Having learned the apple business as a young man in Massachusetts, John Chapman brought his knowledge to western Pennsylvania and started his own apple tree business in about 1801.

Planting seedlings near creeks and rivers close to where new land patents were being granted, Chapman provided the settlers with the apple trees they needed to improve their land. Working for 50 years throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana, Chapman was responsible for so many apple trees and orchards, he earned the name Johnny Appleseed.

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What are the Characteristics of the Common Apple Tree?

Here are the various characteristics of the common apple tree, how it differs from the other types of apples, where it grows and the conditions need for it to thrive.

Malus Domestica

The common apple tree is the most cultivated tree on the entire planet, and the apple tree is the most widely grown species in the entire genus malus. These deciduous trees are short but very important to farmers and small-scale apple growers alike.

The apple trees that we know today all originated from one single ancestor tree that was found growing in the mountains of Kazakhstan, Malus sieversii. This single apple tree ancestor is responsible for the domestication of apple trees which is said to have begun over 10,000 years ago. Today, there are over 7,500 different cultivars of apple trees.

The apple tree represents many things spiritually and is really the first thing we think of when we say the word “fruit”. They are one of the most popularly grown fruits in the world, and in 2018 over 86 a million tonnes of apples were grown and sold. Over half of those apples came from orchards in China.

If you’re curious about different types of trees, look no further! We’ve compiled a crazy huge and interesting list of 101 Types of Trees from all around the world. We’ve got other fruit trees, flowering trees, coniferous trees, and trees you’ve never even heard of!

Table of Contents

What do Apple Trees Look Like?

Root System

Apple trees are slightly differently spoken about than trees that grow in the wild. This is because the way that apple trees grow is not entirely up to them. When growing in the wild, an apple tree will initially develop a deep taproot. From these taproots, widely spreading lateral roots will eventually develop.

When growing apple trees in a nursery, the way their root system develops is controlled. They will commonly cut the taproot to immediately encourage the growth of the lateral roots. This encourages quicker height growth in the tree.

Dimensions

Apple trees are rather small tree species, and when they grow in the wild they will sometimes reach heights of 9 meters or more. When they are grown in an apple orchard, trees will only reach heights between 2 and 5 meters — this makes for far easier apple harvesting when trees are shorter.

Growth Pattern

Again, the growth pattern of an apple tree grown in an orchard will depend on the preference of the growth. Branch density and growth pattern is determined by both trimming and pruning, and by the dwarfing rootstock selection as well.

Apple trees have light gray bark that peels away in scales, with deep and dark fissures.

Foliage

Apple tree leaves are alternately arranged on a twig. A leaf is a dark green color with a downy underside. Leaves have serrated margins and are a simple oval shape.

How do Apple Trees Reproduce?

Flowers

Apple tree flowers are small with 5 petals. Petals are a very light pink/white color, and flowers grow in inflorescences with a cyme of 4-6 flowers per cluster. A flower will blossom in spring, at the same time that new leaf buds emerge.

Apple trees are not self-compatible, and so they must be cross-pollinated in order to develop fruit. Trees can be pollinated by any type of pollinator, though people growing apples will sometimes bring honey bees, orchard mason bees, or bumblebees to their orchards to encourage pollination.

Fruit

There is truly no need to describe the fruit that comes from the apple tree, as it is one of the most recognized images on the planet! But we will, just because we can. Apples are fruit containing multiple seeds that are enrobed in a yellow fleshy fruit. An apple seed is easily dispersed by a great many animals and insects that feed on these fruits.

The fruit is covered in a protective edible layer of epicuticular wax, and fruits are 2-4 inches in diameter and round. The skin can be any color from red, to yellow, to green. Sometimes the skin can be multiple colors as well.

What are Other Types of Apple Trees?

The Crabapple Tree

Crabapple trees are a bushy shrub variety with low contorted branches. They have broad open crowns. This variety of apple trees prefers to grow in rich, moist soils, and they produce smaller apples that are very tart.

The Granny Smith Apple Tree

This apple variety is the most heat tolerant of many apple tree varieties. They require lots of suns and moist soils, and they do require another apple tree in order to pollinate. There are both a dwarf variety and a semi-dwarf variety, reaching 2-3 meters or 3-5 meters in height.

The Red Delicious Apple Tree

There are over 2500 cultivars of red delicious varieties in North America. These trees require cross-pollination, and they prefer to grow in full sun with very moist soils. Red delicious apple trees produce very sweet apples that have bright red skin and heart-shaped fruits.

The Golden Delicious Apple Tree

This apple tree variety can be a dwarf tree or semi-dwarf tree, reaching heights of either 2-3 meters or 3-5 meters. These trees are both cold hardy and heat tolerant. They produce very round fruits with beautiful golden-yellow skin.

Where do Apple Trees Grow?

Apple trees are capable of growing all over the world, depending on the variety of apple trees. Though they originated in central Asia, they have been cultivated for thousands of years in Europe as well.

An apple tree seedling was brought to North America by English colonists, and since then these trees have been cultivated all over the planet.

Apple trees will grow in temperate areas. They cannot tolerate winters that are too cold, but they also cannot tolerate summers that are too hot.

What are the Growing Conditions of Apple Trees?

Apple trees, regardless of the variety, need to grow in soil that is moist, well-drained, and rich in nutrients. This is usually pretty easy to achieve since most apple trees are grown in orchards rather than in the wild.

It is important to ensure that the soil also has a layer of mulch over top and that the tree’s root ball is well tussled before placing it into the planting hole.

Sun Exposure

Apple trees prefer to have full sun exposure all day, though they can tolerate partial shade in hotter climates.

Water

Apple trees like to be fully watered and to have consistently moist soil. They are not very tolerant of drought-like conditions.

What Pests Affect the Apple Tree?

Since apple trees are so often cross-pollinated or reproduced through cuttings, they are not very genetically diverse trees. This makes them more susceptible to bacterial and fungal diseases and pests as well.

A young tree can be commonly destroyed by over-grazing by pests like deer, insects, and mice who enjoy gnawing on their soft bark. Otherwise, they are damaged by the codling moth, apple maggots, fireblight, and the following nuisances:

Apple Scab

Apple scab is a fungal infection that starts on apple tree leaves. Leaves will start to develop brown spots that have a very velvety texture, which will then eventually seep into the twigs and infect the fruit.

Fallen leaves and fruit will then spread into the earth and infect the soil, which will then carry on to infect the growth of the following harvest seasons.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is a bacterial infection that appears as powdery patches on flowers, leaves, and twigs. This infection is most noticeable in flowers, which will turn yellow and experience stunted growth.

Aphids

Aphids are just horrible pests to so many different plant and tree species. Numerous aphids affect apple trees, including; the apple grain aphid, the rosy apple aphid, the spirea aphid, and the woolly apple aphid.

Aphids have very efficient mouths that act as funnels, which will stick into plant leaves and suck out all of the plant juices, effectively removing all of that hard-earned nutrients. This is dangerous for an old apple tree.

How do you identify an apple tree?

Apple trees are rather short trees, and when they grow in the wild they will sometimes reach heights of 9 meters. When they are grown in orchards, trees will only reach heights between 2 and 5 meters — this makes for far easier apple harvesting when trees are shorter.

Apple tree leaves are alternately arranged on a twig. A leaf is a dark green color with a downy underside. Leaves have serrated margins and are a simple oval shape.

Apple tree flowers are small with 5 petals. Petals are a very light pink/white color, and flowers grow in inflorescences with a cyme of 4-6 flowers per cluster.

And of course, the easiest possible way to identify an apple tree is by simply seeing an apple, and thinking, “oh yes! An apple tree!”.

How do you prune an apple tree?

It is important to reserve pruning an apple tree until late winter or early spring, right before the trees new spring foliage begins sprouting, which is the height of their growing season, right before fruit production begins. Otherwise, it is best to reserve pruning for branches that appear as being sickly, damaged, or infected.

How long does it take for an apple tree to grow?

Planting a dwarf variety of apple trees is able to start bearing fruit after only about 2-3 years after growth, which is why dwarf apple trees are so popularly cultivated. Otherwise, a full-grown apple tree will start producing fruit after about 8 years of growth.

How long do apple trees live?

Apple trees are surprisingly long-lived trees, considering how intensely they are cultivated, how often they are self-pollinated, and how controlled their growth is. That being said, the apple tree as long as it is well taken care of and is in the right growing conditions, can live to be over 100 years old!

How tall do apple trees get?

The height of an apple tree is dependent on the variety of apple trees. There are dwarf varieties, semi-dwarf trees, and full-grown trees. A dwarf variety will usually be between 2 and 3 meters high, a semi-dwarf variety will be between 3 and 5 meters high, and a full-grown apple tree will be 5 – 8 meters high. When apple trees grow in the wild they will sometimes reach 10 meters.

How long does it take for an apple tree to bear fruit?

A dwarf variety of apple trees is able to start bearing fruit after only about 2-3 years after growth, which is why dwarf apple trees are so popularly cultivated. Otherwise, a full-grown apple tree will start producing fruit after about 8 years of growth.

How many varieties of apple trees are there?

There are over 7,500 different cultivars of apple trees that have all been cultivated from one single apple tree species that was found in Kazakstan almost 10,000 years ago!

How deep do the roots of apple trees go?

Apple trees are slightly differently spoken about than trees that grow in the wild. This is because the way that apple trees grow is not entirely up to them. When growing in the wild, an apple tree will initially develop a deep taproot. From these taproots, widely spreading lateral roots will eventually develop.

When apple trees are grown in a nursery, the way their root system develops is controlled. They will commonly cut the taproot to immediately encourage the growth of the lateral roots. This encourages quicker height growth in the tree.

Can you overwater an apple tree?

It is absolutely possible to overwater an apple tree. It is essential that apple trees have well-drained and moist soils, and overwatering a tree it will create waterlogging, which can sometimes result in root rot if the excess moisture isn’t absorbed.

What kind of soil do apple trees like?

Apple trees, regardless of the variety, need to grow in soil that is moist, well-drained, and rich in nutrients. This is usually pretty easy to achieve since most apple trees are grown in orchards rather than in the wild.

What month do apple trees bloom?

The apple tree flower will usually bloom during the month of May, but if strange climates occur, their bloom will sometimes be delayed until April.

What growing zone do apple trees grow in?

Apple trees are capable of growing all over the world, depending on the variety of apple trees. Though they originated in central Asia, they have been cultivated for thousands of years in Europe as well.

An apple tree seedling was brought to North America by English colonists, and since then these trees have been cultivated all over the planet.

Apple trees will grow in temperate areas. They cannot tolerate winters that are too cold, but they also cannot tolerate summers that are too hot.

What is an apple scab?

Apple scab is a fungal infection that starts on apple tree leaves. Leaves will start to develop brown spots that have a very velvety texture, which will then eventually seep into the twigs and infect the fruit.

Fallen leaves and fruit will then spread into the earth and infect the soil, which will then carry on to infect the growth of the following harvest seasons.

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