Fruit and Nut Review

Apples and Pears

Apples

Apple trees grow well in a variety of soil types. A deep soil, ranging in texture from a sandy loam to a sandy clay loam, is preferred. Apple trees will not grow in a soil that is poorly drained. Plant apple trees in an area that is in full sun most of the day. Early morning sun dries dew from the leaves, which helps reduce diseases.

Some apple characteristics are transferred from the rootstock to the top. The most widely used rootstocks are the clonally propagated East Malling (EM) and Malling-Merton (MM). Each rootstock has advantages and disadvantages, and it is important for each grower to choose accordingly. The recommended rootstock for most Mississippi growers is M 7A or MM 106.

Spur-type apple trees produce fruit earlier than do the nonspur types and usually are recommended. Most apple varieties set more fruit and produce higher quality fruit when cross-pollination is insured by planting two or more varieties. Choose varieties based on bloom periods (early, mid, or late).

Smoothee, a recommended yellow delicious strain, can be used as a pollinator for most other recommended varieties. Smoothee may be the best golden delicious-type available. The tree is vigorous, very productive, and easy to manage. The fruit excels in flavor, aroma, and long-term storability. Its russet-resistant skin is glossy and conspicuously smooth to the touch; ripens in early September. The bloom period is mid- to late-season (nonspur type). Good pollinator for most other varieties.

Gala is a medium-sized apple, oval-to-round in shape and reddish orange in color; recommended for fresh eating and cooking. Strong trees are compact growers and prolific bearers. Newer red sports, such as Royal or Imperial, are recommended. Ripens in late August; bloom period is midseason (nonspur).

Mollies Delicious is a good quality, late-summer apple. Similar to Gala, it has good quality; however, it is susceptible to bacterial fire-blight.

Osark Gold is an outstanding yellow apple if allowed to ripen properly on the tree. An early golden delicious-type that ripens in mid-August; bloom period is midseason (nonspur).

Red Chief is a heavy producer and has shown all the spur-type tree advantages plus additional vigor, making it easy to establish and manage in the orchard. The fruit is high quality. Ripens in late August to early September; midseason bloom (spur-type).

Arkansas Black is a compact spur mutation of an old variety. Popular for fresh market. An excellent pollinating variety for Red Delicious and other mid- and late-bloom season varieties. Ripens in mid-September to early October (spur-type).

Granny Smith is a very late-maturing, late-keeping, dual-purpose apple. Flesh is hard, crisp, juicy, with excellent tart flavor. Fruit is grass green and shiny. A good companion cross-pollinator for Arkansas Black.

Coastal Region

Golden Dorsett is a yellow delicious-type and is needed to pollinate Anna. Best southern variety; nonspur, low chilling variety with early bloom period.

Anna is a red apple recommended specifically for areas within 50 miles of the Gulf Coast. Anna needs Golden Dorsett as a pollinator. Nonspur, low chilling, and early bloomer.

Ein Shiemer, an old standby, is a golden apple that self-pollinates. Nonspur and low chilling requirement.

Fuji does not look good, but it is probably one of the best quality apples on the market. The chilling requirement is low, and it can be grown throughout Mississippi.

Pears grow in most areas of Mississippi. In the southeastern United States, pears should have some resistance to diseases such as fire blight and leaf spot. Unfortunately, most varieties that exhibit some degree of disease resistance have poor quality and/or small fruit.

Most pear varieties are self-incompatible (self-sterile) and you should plant at least two varieties with similar blooming periods (early, mid, or late) for cross pollination. Because of possible frost damage, plant low-chill, early blooming pears only in extreme south Mississippi.

Most pear fruit attains a higher eating quality when picked several weeks before maturity and allowed to ripen off the tree at 70 °F.

Kieffer is the most extensively grown pear in the South. This old variety has little resistance to fire blight and is poorly adapted to Mississippi. Considered as an early-to mid-bloomer, it may suffer late-frost damage. The Kieffer pear matures in late September or October. Rated good for preserves.

Orient is a large-fruited, roundish pear that ripens in mid-August to early September. The tree is vigorous, spreading, shows some resistance to fire blight, and is well-adapted throughout the state. The canning quality of the fruit is good. The blooming period is considered to be mid- and late-season.

Moonglow is a spur-type tree that is vigorous, blooms late, and has good fire blight resistance. Fruit quality is good with a mild flavor, few grit cells, and soft flesh good for canning. Fruit ripens in mid-August.

Ayers trees are vigorous, upright, and blight-resistant. The chilling requirement is high. Ayers is recommended for north Mississippi only. The fruit is an attractive yellow with red blush and ripens in late July to early August. The blooming period is early.

Plant the trees at the depth at which they stood in the nursery. You can see the change of color of the bark near the root below the graft union. Usually the color of the bark changes at the soil line. Be sure the graft union is above the ground when you plant the tree. It is better to plant the tree too high than too deep.

At planting, place a metal stake (fence post) or a 2- to 3-inch-diameter redwood or treated wood post into the hole about 6 inches from the stem. The pole should extend 5 feet above the ground. Pack good topsoil firmly around the roots, and water the plant well. Do not apply fertilizer at the time of planting.

After planting, cut the tree back to about 30 inches above the ground. If the tree has strong side branches, cut the central leader to about 12 inches above the side branches. The buds below the cut will grow.

When the new side shoots are about 12 inches long, begin pulling them into horizontal positions to develop strong crotch angles. If the tree had side branches at the time of planting, pull these down. In the latter case, styrofoam blocks or clothespins are easier to apply than strings.

The following spring, cut (head back) the leader to about 12 inches above the first tier of branches. Develop a second tier of branches the same way as you did the year before for the first tier. The first-tier branches should produce a few apples or pears in the second year.

From this point on, heading cuts are not needed. If the tree is too full, use thinning cuts in July or August. If the tree is too high and needs cutting back, make sure your heading cut is made in such a way that a pencil-sized shoot remains on the top. The terminal bud of this small shoot produces enough hormone to keep the other buds from growing.

Fertilization (per tree)

Apply a complete fertilizer (such as 13-13-13) in the early spring, followed by a sidedress application in early June. The following guide will help.

1st year = 1 pound complete fertilizer + 1/4 pound of ammonium nitrate

2nd year = 2 pounds complete fertilizer + 1/2 pound of ammonium nitrate

3rd year = 3 pounds complete fertilizer + 3/4 pound of ammonium nitrate

4th year = 4 pounds complete fertilizer + 1 pound of ammonium nitrate

5th year = 5 pounds complete fertilizer + 1 1/2 pounds of ammonium nitrate

After apple and pear trees reach bearing age (over 4 to 5 years of age), apply only a complete fertilizer (such as 13-13-13). Usually 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer -- per inch of diameter of the tree measured just above the soil line -- are adequate. However, the best determination of the fertilizer needs of the tree is indicated by the terminal growth and the number and size of the leaves. Maintain the terminal growth at an average of 15 to 18 inches of new growth per season.

On nonbearing trees, apply fertilizer in a circle at least one foot away from the trunk of the tree. On bearing trees, fertilizer can be broadcast; however, on individual trees, broadcast the fertilizer under and just beyond the limb spread of the tree. Take soil samples every 2 to 3 years, and apply limestone as indicated to maintain a pH of 6 to 6.5.

By Dr. Freddie Rasberry, Extension horticulturist; Dr. Richard Mullenax, professor and head, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences; Dr. Frank Matta, professor of horticulture; and John Davis and John Braswell, horticulture specialists

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Information Sheet 1433
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director

Copyright by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.

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