Apple Tree
Malus domestica · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Fruit Tree / Agricultural crop
Variety / Cultivar
Unspecified standard apple cultivar (Malus domestica)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9 depending on specific cultivar chilling-hour requirements.
About This Tree
A small to medium-sized deciduous fruit tree featuring a broad, rounded canopy with dense branching. Characterized by simple oval leaves with fine serrations, fragrant white-to-pink spring flowers, and edible pome fruit that develops from green to red, yellow, or blush depending on maturity and cultivar.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate arrangement, elliptic to ovate in shape, 2 to 4 inches long. Leaves feature finely serrated margins, medium-green upper surfaces, and slightly downy or pale undersides.
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-brown to dark brown bark that becomes rough, scaly, and horizontally cracked or furrowed with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Central Asia (Tian Shan mountains), widely cultivated globally in temperate zones.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, blooms late spring (April-May), fruits set and mature through summer to autumn (July-October), drops leaves and enters winter dormancy in late autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (6-8+ hours daily) for best fruiting. Prefers medium moisture with well-drained, fertile soil; moderate drought tolerance once mature.
Mature Size
Standard trees reach 20-30 feet tall and wide; semi-dwarf variants grow 12-15 feet tall; growth rate is moderate with a lifespan of 50-100+ years.
Special Characteristics
Produces edible, nutritious fruit; highly valued for orchards and home gardens; attractive spring floral display.
Wildlife & Ecology
Spring blossoms provide critical nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators; fruit and foliage support songbirds, small mammals, deer, and various beneficial insects.