How long does it take apple trees to start fruiting?
Dwarf and semi dwarf trees will fruit faster than standard trees. Remember, it takes at least two years to form fruiting spurs……and often more. I assume you know what fruiting spurs are and are not pruning them off in the spring. Some varieties will take up to seven years to mature to the point they can fruit, let’s hope you don’t have one of those. In the mean time, review pruning practices to make sure you don’t remove the fruiting parts in pruning.
It depends on the variety of apple, and whether or not it is a grafted variety. Also how old the tree was when you purchased it. In this case most will have some fruit within 2yrs of planting, depending on conditions and cultural practises. eg pruning, fertilising. Most apples now come with multi-grafts so you can have a couple of different varieties of apples on the one tree, one of the varieties usually can pollinate the other. As long as there are other trees in your area though, pollination should not be a problem, otherwise you may have to buy another to achieve this if it is a single variety.
It depends on three things: 1. How well you plant and look after it, 2. How old it is when you plant it 3. How you prune it/ Plant in a good, wide hole (1m is OK) but not too deep (30-40cms). Stake it well and return the soil which you should improve with well rotted compost/manure. Trees need to be at least 3 years old before they start fruiting, so buy a bush or a 1/2 standard rather than a maiden if you are in a hurry. Most apples fruit on spurs so prune to encourage side shoot formation. At Ashridge Trees we sell several thousand a year, so hopefully this advice is sound.
