Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

Identifying Apple Trees

...
apple tree image by Ira from Fotolia.com

Apples are a favorite fruit of many people around the world. Because of locations, origins or grafting, many variations of apple trees have developed over time. Apple trees can be found in both private orchards and in the wild. If you know what to look for, you can easily identify an apple tree, and the type of apple growing upon it. There are a few specific guidelines that will help in finding out if the tree in question is an apple tree, and if so, what kind you have found.

Pick the best location where apple trees might be found. A good location would be in an area where there is full sun, good drainage and lots of room. Apple trees prefer open sunny locations higher up rather than shaded or crowded valleys.

  • Apples are a favorite fruit of many people around the world.
  • If you know what to look for, you can easily identify an apple tree, and the type of apple growing upon it.

Look at the tree bark for telltale signs of an apple tree. Apple trees can grow up to 20 feet high, have a medium broad trunk and a wide spreading canopy of branches. Apple trees have an equal width in branches to their height. Dwarf apple trees can grow to ten feet. The bark will be scaly and gray. Look for spurs along the branches

Look at the leaves and blossoms. Apple trees have coarse, oval leaves and they don't change color in the autumn. During growing season, the 1-inch-wide blossoms will have five petals colored pink and white.

  • Look at the tree bark for telltale signs of an apple tree.
  • Apple trees have an equal width in branches to their height.

Identify an apple tree by the fruit. The apple will identify the type of apple tree, but take along a catalog of apples for picture reference. Apples can also be seen at different times of the season, depending on the variety. Large, smooth apples with a pink color on one side and green on the other are pink ladies. Smooth glossy green apples are granny smith. Fuji apples are a dry pink and green stripe.

Determine the apple tree by region. Arkansas black apples only grow in Arkansas; while Baldwin apples are seen in New England. Crab apples only grow in the northern hemisphere.

  • Identify an apple tree by the fruit.
  • The apple will identify the type of apple tree, but take along a catalog of apples for picture reference.

Watch for variant trees that don't follow normal apple tree patterns. These would include dwarf apples and crab apples. Dwarf apples are found on trees that resemble apple trees, but only reach 10 feet in height; the apples are much smaller. Crab apples are smaller still, resembling green or yellow cherries.

Related Articles

How to Identify an Apricot Tree
How to Identify an Apricot Tree
How to Identify Fruit Trees by Leaf
How to Identify Fruit Trees by Leaf
How to Grow Winesap Apples
How to Grow Winesap Apples
How to Identify a Persimmon Tree
How to Identify a Persimmon Tree
When Are Gala Apples Ripe?
When Are Gala Apples Ripe?
How to Identify Leaves on Apple Trees
How to Identify Leaves on Apple Trees
Characteristics of an Apple
Characteristics of an Apple
What Is the Habitat of an Apple Tree?
What Is the Habitat of an Apple Tree?
How to Tell If a Mulberry Tree Is Male or Female
How to Tell If a Mulberry Tree Is Male or Female
How to Get Rid of Bugs From Apple Trees
How to Get Rid of Bugs From Apple Trees
How to Know When to Pick Apples
How to Know When to Pick Apples
How to Grow Pink Lady Apples
How to Grow Pink Lady Apples
Varieties of Apple Trees in West Virginia
Varieties of Apple Trees in West Virginia
Should You Wait Until a Freeze Before Picking Apples?
Should You Wait Until a Freeze Before Picking Apples?
How to Identify Willow Trees
How to Identify Willow Trees
The Identification of the Leaves of Fruit Trees
The Identification of the Leaves of Fruit Trees
How to Grow Apple Trees in Michigan
How to Grow Apple Trees in Michigan
Orange Spots on Apple Tree Leaves
Orange Spots on Apple Tree Leaves
Garden Guides
×