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remove dead and crossing branches (November–March)
Harvest
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
August–November
Check
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
May: Hang pheromone traps to monitor codling moth flight. · April–August: From spring, watch for woolly aphid colonies on the trunk and branches. · From 2 weeks after flowering until the end of summer, look for wilting shoots (fire blight) and cut them out 30 cm into healthy wood. · Remove fallen leaves soon after leaf fall and do not leave fruit lying on the ground until the next season (scab, fruit rots). · Winter: When winter pruning, check for swellings in the bark (woolly aphid) and canker wounds; cut them out and treat the wound.
Protection
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
September–October (protection): Apply nematodes against codling moth to the trunk and soil once the caterpillars have left the fruit.
up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Pruning
When and how to prune.
Months apply to Central Europe.
Remove dead and crossing branches
NovDecJanFebMar
How to prunePrune moderately: dead, diseased and damaged wood, crossing and congested shoots, shoots growing in the wrong direction. Note: hard pruning spoils it.
Pests and diseases
Common problems and what to do.
The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.
High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level
In autumn, rake up and remove fallen leaves and affected fruit.
Prune out blistered shoots.
By hand all year, mainly autumnCut out cracked and blistered twigs, collect fallen leaves and fruit.
Chemical — only when nothing else helps according to the authorisationOnly a product authorised in your country against: apple scab (Venturia inaequalis). On fruit you will eat, keep to the pre-harvest interval.
Apple scabdisease · spring – autumnHigh risk+
What you will see
Olive-green spots on leaves, leaves drop early. On fruit, brown to black scabby spots; fruit cracks and rots.
The source says: it is one of the most important diseases of apples.
In autumn, rake up and remove fallen leaves and affected fruit.
Prune out blistered shoots.
By hand all year, mainly autumnCut out cracked and blistered twigs, collect fallen leaves and fruit.
Chemical — only when nothing else helps according to the authorisationOnly a product authorised in your country against: apple scab (Venturia inaequalis). On fruit you will eat, keep to the pre-harvest interval.
Small exit holes on the fruit or near the calyx, tunnels with frass in the core. Fruit ripens early and drops.
The source says: it is the most serious direct pest of apples.
When to look
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
June–September
How to protect
Prevention
Collect fallen fruit during the season and after harvest.
Hang pheromone traps in May to monitor moth flight.
Encourage birds, wasps and ground beetles.
By hand May – SeptemberPheromone trap (for monitoring; on its own it is usually not enough); collect fallen fruit; check crates and the store for cocoons.
Biological September – OctoberApply parasitic nematodes (Steinernema) to the trunk, branches and soil under the canopy once the caterpillars have left the fruit.
Chemical — only when nothing else helps according to the authorisationOnly a product authorised in your country against codling moth (Cydia pomonella). On fruit you will eat, keep to the pre-harvest interval.
Codling mothpest · June–SeptemberHigh risk+
What you will see
Small exit holes on the fruit or near the calyx, tunnels with frass in the core. Fruit ripens early and drops.
The source says: it is the most serious direct pest of apples.
When to look
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
June–September
How to protect
Prevention
Collect fallen fruit during the season and after harvest.
Hang pheromone traps in May to monitor moth flight.
Encourage birds, wasps and ground beetles.
By hand May – SeptemberPheromone trap (for monitoring; on its own it is usually not enough); collect fallen fruit; check crates and the store for cocoons.
Biological September – OctoberApply parasitic nematodes (Steinernema) to the trunk, branches and soil under the canopy once the caterpillars have left the fruit.
Chemical — only when nothing else helps according to the authorisationOnly a product authorised in your country against codling moth (Cydia pomonella). On fruit you will eat, keep to the pre-harvest interval.
Round to oval sunken patches of dead bark, often starting from a wound or bud. The branch above the wound dies back, and red fruiting bodies may appear on the wound.
The source says: apples are its most important hosts.
When to look
New cankers from mid-spring
How to protect
Prevention
Improve drainage and check the soil pH (heavy, wet, acidic soils are at risk).
Avoid susceptible varieties (Cox's Orange Pippin, James Grieve, Spartan).
Treat wounds straight after pruning.
By hand all year, before spring growthRemove small affected twigs completely; on larger branches cut out the bark and wood back to healthy green tissue; paint the wound with tree wound sealant.
Apple cankerdisease · new cankers from mid-springHigh risk+
What you will see
Round to oval sunken patches of dead bark, often starting from a wound or bud. The branch above the wound dies back, and red fruiting bodies may appear on the wound.
The source says: apples are its most important hosts.
When to look
New cankers from mid-spring
How to protect
Prevention
Improve drainage and check the soil pH (heavy, wet, acidic soils are at risk).
Avoid susceptible varieties (Cox's Orange Pippin, James Grieve, Spartan).
Treat wounds straight after pruning.
By hand all year, before spring growthRemove small affected twigs completely; on larger branches cut out the bark and wood back to healthy green tissue; paint the wound with tree wound sealant.
Flowers wilt and die during flowering, shoots bend over like a shepherd's crook. Under the bark the wood is reddish-brown, with a slimy ooze in damp weather. A quarantine pest: report it to your national plant-protection authority.
The source says: young apple trees are particularly susceptible to fire blight.
When to look
Spring – autumn
How to protect
Prevention
Do not overdo nitrogen.
Remove late secondary blossom.
Disinfect tools between cuts.
By hand from 2 weeks after flowering until the end of summerCut affected shoots 30 cm (larger branches 60 cm) below the visible damage, into healthy wood; disinfect tools.
Fire blightdisease · spring – autumnHigh risk+
What you will see
Flowers wilt and die during flowering, shoots bend over like a shepherd's crook. Under the bark the wood is reddish-brown, with a slimy ooze in damp weather. A quarantine pest: report it to your national plant-protection authority.
The source says: young apple trees are particularly susceptible to fire blight.
When to look
Spring – autumn
How to protect
Prevention
Do not overdo nitrogen.
Remove late secondary blossom.
Disinfect tools between cuts.
By hand from 2 weeks after flowering until the end of summerCut affected shoots 30 cm (larger branches 60 cm) below the visible damage, into healthy wood; disinfect tools.
In spring, stunted shoots covered in white powder, small deformed leaves and flower clusters. In summer, a mealy coating mainly on the undersides of leaves. In winter, silvery tips of the branches.
The source says: infection can sometimes lead to significant yield loss.
How to protect
Prevention
In spring, cut off affected shoots and flower clusters and carefully carry them away in a bag (spores spread easily).
In winter, cut out the branch tips if you can safely recognise the silvery coating.
A crown with an open centre and space between the branches.
Moderate feeding and watering, without excess nitrogen.
When planting new trees, choose resistant varieties (‘Discovery’, ‘Edward VII’, ‘Topaz’; susceptible ‘Gala’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’).
By hand springCut off primary infections as soon as you see them. Fungicides are not recommended; leaving the disease untreated is also an option (yield may fall).
Apple powdery mildewdiseaseHigh risk+
What you will see
In spring, stunted shoots covered in white powder, small deformed leaves and flower clusters. In summer, a mealy coating mainly on the undersides of leaves. In winter, silvery tips of the branches.
The source says: infection can sometimes lead to significant yield loss.
How to protect
Prevention
In spring, cut off affected shoots and flower clusters and carefully carry them away in a bag (spores spread easily).
In winter, cut out the branch tips if you can safely recognise the silvery coating.
A crown with an open centre and space between the branches.
Moderate feeding and watering, without excess nitrogen.
When planting new trees, choose resistant varieties (‘Discovery’, ‘Edward VII’, ‘Topaz’; susceptible ‘Gala’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’).
By hand springCut off primary infections as soon as you see them. Fungicides are not recommended; leaving the disease untreated is also an option (yield may fall).
Does apple on M9 rootstock (dwarf) tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does apple on M9 rootstock (dwarf) need?
At maturity 2.5–2.7 m wide and 1.8–2.5 m tall; recommended spacing 2.5 m.
Apple scab — what can you do?
Grow resistant varieties (e.g. 'Charles Ross', 'Discovery', 'Melba'). Cut out cracked and blistered twigs, collect fallen leaves and fruit.
Codling moth — what can you do?
Collect fallen fruit during the season and after harvest. Pheromone trap (for monitoring; on its own it is usually not enough); collect fallen fruit; check crates and the store for cocoons.
What you can eat, what is in it, and what to do with the harvest now and later.
Edible parts
fruit
What is in it
52kcal per 100 g raw edible portion
Vitamin C4.6 mg · 6 %
Potassium107 mg · 5 %
RI = reference intake for an adult (EU). Composition only, no health claims.
What to do with the harvest
Now, in a few days and for winter.
Right awayFresh, in pies or cooked into purée.
For longer
Store: in a cool dark room (4–7 °C) in one layer, fruits not touching; late varieties keep for several months – remove any rotting ones.
Dry: dry 3–6 mm rings at 60 °C for 6–24 h until leathery with no moist centre. They keep 6–12 months somewhere cool and dark.
Purée: cook and sieve the apples, fill hot purée into jars, 15 min (0.5 l) or 20 min (1 l) in boiling water (longer above 300 m). Keeps about a year somewhere cool and dark.
Freeze: sprinkle slices with lemon juice and freeze on a tray; after thawing use in pies. Keeps 8–12 months in the freezer.
