Page 9 - Edible Trees For Tucson

• Height: Standard height is 20+ feet at
maturity; semi dwarf is 50-60% of a standard
tree; and fully dwarf is 20-40% of a standard
tree.
• Lifespan: 100+ years.
• Water needs: Moderate; trees need an inch of
water each week during growing season.
• Soils: Grows best on deep, well-drained sites
with soil pH of 6.5-7.
• Microclimate: Plant in areas that minimize
late-spring frost.
• Pollination: Cross- and insect-pollinated.

CARE
• Prune when young to encourage good tree
structure, and prune when older to improve
tree shape, fruit quality, production, and light
in the canopy.
• Planting disease-resistant cultivars,
maintaining good hygiene in the orchard, and
using beneficial insects and organic sprays can
minimize damage from many apple diseases.

H AR VES T
Harvest times extend from late summer for early
ripening varieties to late fall for winter apples,
though ripening and harvest vary depending on
local climates. Apples are eaten fresh, cooked,
dried, preserved, juiced, and fermented into
alcoholic beverages.

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