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Picking apple trees for garden #874864
Asked June 26, 2024, 6:34 PM EDT
Macomb County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
For your location in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, with USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, clay soil, and full sun, here are some dwarf apple tree varieties that are disease-resistant, have good taste, and can cross-pollinate each other:
Honeycrisp: Known for its juicy, sweet-tart flavor and crisp texture. It’s a popular choice and has good disease resistance. More information at this link:
Apple Cultivars and Their Uses | MU Extension (missouri.edu)
Liberty: This variety is highly resistant to apple scab and other diseases. It produces fruit with a tart flavor similar to McIntosh. More information at this link:
Apple Cultivars and Their Uses | MU Extension (missouri.edu)
Enterprise: Another disease-resistant variety that produces spicy and juicy apples. It’s also known for its long storage life. More information at this link:
Apple Cultivars and Their Uses | MU Extension (missouri.edu)
Goldrush: Offers a good balance of tart and sweet flavors and is known for its excellent storage qualities. It’s resistant to many common apple diseases. More information at this link:
Apple Cultivars and Their Uses | MU Extension (missouri.edu)
When selecting trees, ensure that their bloom times overlap to facilitate cross-pollination. More information at this link:
Fruit tree pollination is complicated | Over the Garden Fence | Illinois Extension | UIUC
When purchasing your trees, it’s also important to consider rootstocks specifically bred for dwarf growth. This will ensure that the trees maintain a manageable size and are well-suited for your space.
Before planting, I recommend conducting a soil test to ensure the soil has the right pH and nutrient levels for optimal growth. Amending the soil based on the test results can provide a better start for your apple trees. Details on soil testing at this link: Get Started | MSU Soil Test
Some handy resources are at these links:
Selecting apple varieties and rootstocks for your new orchard - Apples (msu.edu)
Smart Gardening: Growing Backyard Fruit Trees - Gardening in Michigan (msu.edu)
Planting Apple Trees – Apples (extension.org)
I hope this helps!