My tree friend: Dwarf Apple tropical sweet
a) Average expected life of tree, in years, from sprout to death (approx numbers)
A dwarf apple may live 15-20 years. A semi-dwarf tree may see 20 – 25 years while a full-sized tree should manage 35 to 45 years
b) Years until trees first fruit (ie some trees fruit within a few years, others can take decades)
The apple tree begins producing fruit after 2 to 10 years, depending on the type of rootstock or if it’s grown from seed. Dwarf trees begin producing fruit first, while seedlings require a minimum of six years of growth before fruiting.
c) Season of year when productive tree fruits
Summer
d) Expected or average number years tree expected to fruit for once it begins. (ie year 8 to 20 = 12 yrs)
between 14 to 19 years
e) Country/area of origin
Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, Malus sieversii, is still found today between western China and the former Soviet Union
f) Average annual rainfall in area of origin
254 mm, the minimum is 66 mm, and the maximum is 1222 mm
g) Latin name of tree and family
Malus domestica, which includes over 100 genera and 3000 species distributed worldwide
Rosaceae (rose family)
h) Any other products, benefits, useful or interesting facts about of tree:
Dwarf apple tropic sweet is a low chill apple tree.
Apple wood is found as an accent timber used in creating doors, ornate handles, and small artisan projects such as dishware and jewellery.
Food products including apple are apple juice, apple pie, pudding, pastry, dumplings, apple cider, apple wine, butter, apple sauce, preserves and candy. Roasted, spiced apples are a favourite Christmastime treat. Crab apples (a small, sour apple) are popular with jelly and jam makers.
Use apple tree wood to make your own apple wood chips for the barbecue, using the limbs, twigs or stump. These wood chips penetrate meat during grilling to give them a rich, smoky flavour with a hint of sweetness.
Apples provide a surprisingly large number of health or medicinal benefits, mainly from the malic and tartaric acids present in the fruit and juice. Apple cider vinegar has been recorded to help ease allergies from the high content of quercetin, a compound that slows down the secretion of histamine (the chemical your body releases during an allergic reaction). Apple cider vinegar helps relieve sinus infections, acid reflux, sore throats, acne (because it is a anti-bacterial and an anti-inflammatory), high cholesterol, arthritis, sunburn, eczema, warts and gout. Sometimes apple cider vinegar is used in diet products to assist in breaking down fat. Apples contain a list of phytonutrients that function as antioxidants and support heart health, including catechin, phloridzin and chlorogenic acid (ingest the skin for the ultimate benefit). Apples also have anti-fungal and antiseptic properties.
Gardening
Incorporate wood chips into soil as a nutrient rich feeder for your garden. Apple tree wood chips can be used as a mulch as well. You can line your pathways or garden borders with apple wood chips for an aesthetic value.
Use pruned limbs or branches as support stakes for young garden plants, particularly vining plants and vegetables such as peas, green beans, squash, lilies, young trees or roses. Just insert the twig firmly and securely into the ground next to the plant and loosely tie the plant to the branch.
Cosmetic
Apples are used in cosmetic products such as lotions, clarifying shampoos, and cellulite products. Apple cider vinegar is known to clean hair, specifically oily hair. The vinegar removes soap residue that can cling to and weigh down oily hair. This vinegar works as a skin tonic as well, improving blood circulation. With a combination of enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins A, B and C, beta carotene and a wealth of others, cider vinegar naturally balances the skin’s pH.
Carpentry
Use large pieces of wood from the apple tree to create attractive and unique furniture or accents on existing furniture, such as tables, decorative handles, cabinet doors, dishware (apple wood is dense and durable), chairs, bars and mirror frames.
Apple treas are good shade trees or wind break, good cabinet, building or fire wood, fire resistant, flood or drought tolerant.
i) Height, width and shape of tree at maturity.
Size Height 2-5m, Size Plant Width 2-5m
Their width is the same as their height.
Size Fruit 7-10cm
Find the diameter of the trunk by dividing the circumference by pi, or 3.14. For example, if your apple tree has a circumference of 20 inches, divide that by 3.14 to find a diameter of approximately 6.37 inches.
5m divided by 3.14 is 1.5m.
j) Challenges or special requirements, such as needing other varieties in order to fruit
Apple trees need at least 2 compatible plants (Pollination Required).
