Dwarf apple trees have many advantages over standard apple trees. You can develop them in tiny spaces and easily prune, spray and harvest them. Later planting, dwarf apple trees produce fruit much sooner, usually after three decades, than standard apple trees, which may take up to 10 years to make. Dwarf apple trees are created by grafting a apple variety to a dwarf rootstock. The complete size of a dwarf apple tree also depends partially on cultural states and pruning methods. To fruit nicely, apple trees need a frightening period, a period with temperatures of 45 degrees F or less. Many dwarf apple tree varieties possess a very low chill requirement, thriving and producing apples in warmer climates.
Arkansas Black Dwarf Variety
The Arkansas Black apple tree (Malus domestica Arkansas Black) is available as a dwarf or semi-dwarf tree. The dwarf tree will grow 6 to 9 feet tall and the semi-dwarf tree will reach 8 to 10 feet in maturity. Ten years after planting , these apple trees are regarded as mature. The Arkansas Black apple is flavorful and great for eating fresh, cooking or making juice. Trees have great disease resistance, especially against cedar apple rust disease. Arkansas Black dwarf varieties grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. These trees cannot self-fertilize and have to be pollinated by the other neighboring apple tree variety.
Goldrush Dwarf Variety
The Goldrush apple tree (Malus domestica GoldRush) functions as a dwarf (6 to 9 ft) or semi-dwarf ( 9 to 12 ft) tree. Goldrush is easy to grow and produces a large apple harvest. The yellow-orangey apples are flavorful and sweet, especially after they are stored for a while. They are great eaten fresh or used in cooking. The Goldrush apple tree is disease-resistant, especially to scab and mildew. Goldrush is self-sterile, so it needs to be pollinated by another apple tree variety neighboring. All these trees grow well in USDA zones 5 through 9.
Gala Dwarf Variety
The Gala apple tree (Malus domestica Gala) grows 8 to 12 feet tall at maturity. The Gala apple is a frequent apple in supermarkets, but it’s a whole lot sweeter when newly selected. The orangey-red Gala apple is very good for eating fresh or making juice. The tree grows well in USDA zones 5 through 9. However, the tree needs to be sprayed, because it’s inferior pest and disease resistance, especially against scab. The Gala apple tree is partially self-fertile, meaning it can take fruit without pollination by another apple tree. However, pollination from another apple tree variety will likely enhance fruit-bearing.
Fuji Dwarf Variety
The Fuji apple tree (Malus domestica Fuji) can be implanted as a dwarf or semi-dwarf tree. The Fuji apple is an attractive yellow apple with a reddish-pink overlay. The apple has a mild, sweet flavor and is great when eaten fresh. The tree enjoys warm spaces and a very long season. It favors USDA zones 6 through 9, though under the right conditions, it may also be successful in zone 5. The tree contains average pest and disease resistance. It is self-sterile and needs to be pollinated by another apple tree variety.
Granny Smith Dwarf Variety
The Granny Smith apple tree (Malus domestica Granny Smith) attains a height of 8 to 12 feet at maturity. It grows well in USDA zones 6 through 9 and occasionally even in zone 5, though apple ripening may not occur. The Granny Smith apple tree originated in Australia, but now is a popular variety in the USA. The green apple is tart, great for eating fresh or in cooking, especially for baking apple pies. The tree contains average pest and disease resistance and is self-fertile. It does not have to be pollinated by the other tree variety, although fruiting may be raised by a harmonious nearby apple tree variety.
