Crowding is a concern if too many large trees are planted in s mall space. As your new apple tree gets established and breaks dormancy, you will see it put on new leafy growth. However at the time I was more interested in teaching my 6 year old granddaughter how the germination of seed to tree process worked and never planned on them growing more than a couple feet tall before we moved away. In some cases, the root systems reach a circumference that is more than twice that of the crown of the tree. These trees reach a height of only 15 to 20 feet and begin producing apples as early as two to three years after planting. In researching the best apple trees for my Southern growing zone (8), I thought I would share what I found with you too! If you’re an avid gardener, you might be up to the task of growing one of these trees. It is at this point that you will begin applying fertilizer and starting your growing season spray routine. Whether the apple tree receives morning sun or afternoon sun, and what direction the apple tree is facing, are also important factors. https://www.reference.com/world-view/apples-grow-95c434c8f18df0f4 The nice thing about smaller trees is that pruning and harvesting can be done from the ground and does not require a ladder to reach most of the apples. Standard trees will eventually start producing most of its apples toward the tops of the trees where they are harder to get. Apples generally require a winter chill of 900 to 1,000 or more hours between 32 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit to break dormancy, although there are low chill varieties for warmer climates. That was 3-4 years ago . The most important decision to make when planting apple trees is to make sure the correct variety is chosen in relation to the climate. You will know when to grow apple trees when you can actually dig the hole necessary to plant the tree. Apple trees on standard root-stock may grow 25-50 feet tall. Apple trees will grow in a variety of different shade and sun conditions. Apple trees in Alabama are mainly spur-type trees. Apple trees, however, are frequently planted by gardeners who want to grow fruit trees in a limited space. Apple trees are a great addition to any landscape, and if healthy, will provide an abundance of fresh fruit. Final Thoughts. Many plants, including apple trees, start out by sending down a taproot from which lateral, or fibrous, roots grow. Apple tree growing info also advises not to plant the trees near the woods or streams. Best Apple Trees for Southern Climates. Both of these environments can ruin the tree. However, from time to time, apple tree problems do occur and require attention in order to keep trees as healthy as possible. The apple trees we know today originated from the a wild apple tree that was native to Central Asia. Make sure you always follow product labels when it comes to applying any fertilizer or spray.. You can find additional suggestions in our article, Fruit Tree Care: Spray & Weed Control. I have successfully managed to grow two apple trees from seeds to the point of planting them outside. If you are in an area with less than 500 chill hours per year (zone 8-10), then these apple varieties are your best options for growing your own apple trees! Growing an apple tree requires full sunshine. The taproot stops growing, and the lateral roots branch out in all directions away from it. It can still be found growing in the mountainous regions of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and China. The number of hours of direct sunlight is not the only factor that will determine optimal growth. Honeycrisp apple trees are picky plants that require specific growing and maintenance conditions, so you’ll have to work to get the large and crisp apples that the tree produces.