How to choose and plant an apple tree
There's an apple tree for every garden, no matter how large or small. Read our RHS help and advice on how to select and plant the perfect variety for your needs
Tree planting is one of the most life affirming and positive steps you can take for the future. What better tree to plant than an apple? Delicious fruit for years to come and pretty blossom in springtime too.
Whether you want a tree for children to climb in or a potted patio specimen, apples can provide. They are easy to grow in any size of garden, and the incredible range of varieties (cultivars), different pruning techniques and rootstocks make them the most versatile fruit out there. But how do you find the right one?
5 things to think about when choosing your apple tree
Given space, apples make beautiful trees
Luckily there's room for an apple in even the tiniest garden
2. In the kitchen – do you want a dessert (eating) or culinary (cooking) apple? The majority of apple cultivars are either dessert or culinary, although some are dual-purpose. In RHS publications and the Plant Finder, apple cultivars are labelled (D) for dessert and (C) for culinary.
There are many fascinating local and heritage varieties to choose from
4. Disease resistance is another consideration which varies between cultivars, with modern types often having higher levels of resistance than traditional ones.
Apple trees look beautiful in bloom – bees love them too!
RHS guide to growing apple trees
Read our handy guide with six simple steps to successfully grow your own apples. Including a selection of pollination-compatible RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) winning cultivars.
More apple-growing advice from the RHS
Apples and pears: pruning made easy Apple tree problems: frequently asked questions Apples: choosing cultivars
