At Portland Nursery we celebrate the apple every autumn with our Apple Tasting Festival for many good reasons! Apples are delicious and nutritious, they produce well in our region and indeed there is a long tradition of growing apples here in the Pacific Northwest.
Apple lore dates back to ancient times, but this adaptable member of the rose family was probably first cultivated in North America in the early 17th century. Early Americans used apples more as a source of alcoholic drink, substituting costly imports with hard cider or something harder.
Since then, over 1000 varieties have entered cultivation, bred to fit various use and climate needs for this continent’s vastly diverse environments. The Pacific Northwest is one of the very best growing areas for this varied and popular fruit.
The seasonal availability of the apple is fairly amazing. Apples in the Portland area begin to ripen from July (Yellow Transparent) to November (Granny Smith).
For the home gardener, there are many possible choices. At Portland Nursery, we generally carry around 30 varieties of apple trees each season. We stock varieties which we feel do well in our climate with both dwarf and semi-dwarf trees available.
An apple grown on either a semi-dwarf or dwarfing rootstock can be an attractive choice as a small flowering tree for an urban garden. If you are considering adding a flowering tree, why not one that bears a crop of fruit?
Before selecting the apple tree for your yard, there are a few important things to consider.
Most apples grown for fruit need to have another apple near by that produces flowers at the same time of year, and is a different variety of apple. We've provided you with this handy pollination list.
In ideal weather, wind and bees may be relied upon to spread pollen from flower to flower. If weather is excessively wet and rainy during the bloom-period, pollen may be washed away and bees may not be present. This will cause a poor fruit set. Spreading pollen by hand using a small paint brush can help to increase fruit set.
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Malus, Latin for Apple
Common Name: Apple or Crabapple
Origin: Apples originate in the Caucasus Mountains of Western Asia with 20-30 Crabapple species native mainly to China, Japan and the U.S.
Characteristics: Leaves are alternate, simple, ovate and covered in downy white fuzz in youth. Pink flower buds open to white or pale pink single flowers in spring at the same time as leaves emerge.
Branches have smooth gray bark that thickens and flakes with age, forming an interesting trunk. Fruit matures from July to October in the Portland area. Crabapples have fruit that measures less than 2 inches in diameter.
Size: Apple trees are grafted at the base of the trunk to rootstock which greatly affects the ultimate size of the tree. Read through our Pollination & Rootstock List.
Culture: Apple trees are happiest growing in full sun, with regular water during the time while the fruit is developing, and with good air circulation. Fertilizing with a fruit tree fertilizer can be very beneficial in aiding with vigor and fruit set.
Apples also need to experience a ‘chilling period’, a certain amount of time with temperatures below 45 degrees. This allows leaf and flower buds to form properly. The Portland area typically has plenty of winter days with such weather, so chilling should not pose a problem.
Pests and Diseases: Apples are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases which can be very problematic in Portland. Many trees have been bred to resist disease, and starting with a healthy, vigorous, disease-resistant tree is a step in the right direction. Select from our TOP 5 Disease Resistant Apples.
Improving air circulation, removing diseased leaves as soon as they appear, picking up apples that have fallen on the ground and raking up diseased leaves will help to keep insect and fungal issues to a minimum.
If fungal issues persist, dormant sprays can be applied in late fall and winter to prevent diseases such as powdery mildew, scab and rust.
Wormy apples can be prevented! Traps for Codling Moth and Apple Maggot can be set to alert the grower to their presence. Once insects are present, organic insecticides can be applied.
We carry a variety of fruit and nut-bearing trees appropriate to our region. Our best selection is from February through May.
