Cider Apple Trees

Our apple trees, like many fruit trees, are propagated by grafting. There are two parts to an apple tree. A Scion, which is the fruiting part of the tree, gives you the variety of apple, and the Rootstock, which influences its mature size, hardiness of the tree, and determines the time it takes for the tree to fruit. We sell Standard, Semi-dwarf, Dwarf and Mini-Dwarf trees that do not require a lot of space but will bear large fruit.

• Trees must be planted in well drained soil
• 6 hours of sunlight Full sun preferred
• Stake all trees for the first 2 years. Dwarfs must have permanent stakes
• Tree guards should be used
• Plant at least 2 Different apples trees for Cross Pollination
• Plant disease resistant trees for less maintenance 

For flavor profiles relating to the various Cider apples- we refer to the WSU Cider Performance Database. Cider profiles breakdown to four categories: Sharp, Bitter-sharp, Sweet, and Bitter-sweet based on the amount of Tannic and Malic acid present in the cider. Low Tannin and High Acid contend yields a Sharp flavor profile. High Tannin and High Acid profile yields a Bitter-sharp flavor profile. Low Tannin and Low Acid content yields a Sweet profile. Lastly, a High Tannin and Low Acid Profile yields a Bitter-sweet profile. 

We categorize our apple trees into four sizes: Maiden, Field Ready, Hand Select, and (3 or 5) Gallon Container depending on the size of the tree. Maiden trees are usually 2 years old and are branchless. These are also called whips and will bear in 2-3 years. A Field Ready tree is 2-3 years old and might have some lateral branching, be thicker above the graft, and will bear in 1-2 years. The Hand Select trees are only about 20% of trees we have and are 3 year old trees, 6-9' tall and can be heavily branched. You can expect fruiting on a Hand Select tree in about a year.