This is the first of hopefully many entries on specific plants to be used in a Permaculture System. I attempted to document every aspect of a plant that would be useful, but I am sure there are things I missed. However, this should be a fairly holistic overview.
Scientific Name: Malus domestica or pumila
Family: Rosaceae
Description:
Hardly needs description.
Moderate sized tree to small dwarf trees.
History:
Originated in Western Asia (Turkey?). Likely the first tree to be cultivated. First brought to the U.S. in the 17th Century.
Trivia:
China is the main producer of apples. The U.S. is second.
USING THIS PLANT
Primary Uses:
- Fresh eating, cooking
- Fresh juice
- Drying
- Preserving
- Fermenting: Cider, Apple Jack
Secondary Uses:
- Coppicing: possible, but not a main tree for this
Dynamic Accumulator: Fair potassium accumulator
The term “Dynamic Accumulator” is used by Dave Jacke in Edible Forest Gardens as a way to describe plants that either keep nutrients around (like in fallen autumn leaves) or pull nutrients up from the subsoil.
Beneficial for Animals/Insects:
- Winter fruit
- General Nectary
Yield:
- Standard 100-400 lbs (45-180 kg)
- Semi-dwarf 77-155 lbs (35-70 kg)
- Dwarf 55-120 lbs (25-55 kg)
Harvesting: Harvest when ripe
Storage: Store in cool place
DESIGNING WITH THIS PLANT
Zone: 3-9
Plant Type: Tree to shrub
Forest Garden Use: Canopy to Shrub Layer
Cultivars/Varieties: Over 7,500 cultivars
Pollination:
- Most require cross-pollination
- Note that not all species will cross-pollinate – review a chart before planting. Here is one example.
Flowering: May-June
Life Span
Years to Begin Bearing:
- Standard 5-8 yrs
- Semi-dwarf 4 yrs
- Dwarf 3 yrs
Years to Maximum Bearing:
- Standard 10 yrs
- Semi-dwarf 10 yrs
- Dwarf 5 yrs
Years of Useful Life:
- Standard 35-100 yrs
- Semi-dwarf 30-50 yrs?
- Dwarf 10-30 yrs
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS PLANT
Size: Depends on root stock
- Own root, Standard: 20-26’ (6-8m) high x 20’ (6m) wide → tall, not for fresh eating apples which should be picked from the tree, but can be used for juice/cider apples which can be picked up off the ground
- Semi-Dwarf: 13-16’ (4-5m) high and wide
- Dwarf: 8-13’ (2.5-4m) high x 12’ (3.5m) wide
Roots: Flat, mostly shallow roots
Growth Rate: Medium
GROWING CONDITIONS FOR THIS PLANT
Light: Full Sun
Shade: Tolerated mild shade
Moisture: Medium
pH: 6.1-7.0
Special Considerations for Growing:
- Tolerant of most garden conditions
- Negatively Affected my Juglone (Produced by members of the Walnut Family: Hickory, Pecan, Walnut, Wingnut)
Propagation: Typically by grafting
Maintenance:
- Pruning annually to every 2-3 yrs
- Needs nitrogen and potassium to sustain cropping
Disease/Pests:
Numerous diseases including various types of Apple Scab, Blotch, Rot, Canker, Mildew, Rust, Pit, Scald, Mottle, Blight, and pests including Nematodes, Codling Moth, Aphids, Bird, to name just a few.
Concerns:
- Seeds and leaves contain cyanide.
- May spread easily.
