Growing apple trees in backyards has its challenges, but can be rewarding! Starting with dwarf trees is one way to grow in less space, other options include columnar and espalier.

Each approach has pros and cons. As an example, I have a dwarf Williams Pride, which is hasn’t had any disease issues at all, takes up very little space and  is so productive that it needs heavy thinning. However, it is so accessible as a dwarf that a variety of wildlife can reach & take the fruit before we do unless we pick while still green. We are considering building a fruit cage.

Another challenge is successfully growing apples without the frequent spraying  commonly practiced in commercial orchards.  Recommend selecting disease resistant varieties. More disease resistant varieties are being developed, but some of the earlier ones include: Enterprise, William’s Pride, Liberty and Redfree. Our UDC team tends to stay clear of recommending one business over another, but can share that my Williams Pride came from Edible Landscaping in Afton, Virginia, which specializes in fruiting plants well adapted to our humid Mid-Atlantic climate.

As mentioned in an earlier reply to this question from UMD, not all of UMD ’s recently developed disease resistant apples are readily available yet. Also, apples generally require cross pollination with another apple. See the recently revised Growing Apple and Pear Trees in the Home Garden by UMD for more varieties, compatible pollinators & other information: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-apple-and-pear-trees-home-garden.

Kate