Facts About Granny Smith Apple Trees
- Fruit Facts. Due to the high acid content, these apples do not turn brown after cutting as soon as most other apple...
- Nutrition. The "Granny Smith" apple tree produces medium-size fruit. One 154-gram apple contains approximately 80...
- Fruit Harvest and Storage. Late season trees, "Granny Smith" apples are harvested in October to...
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Product Details.
| Soil Type | Well Drained |
|---|---|
| Mature Height | 15-20 Feet |
| Mature Width | 15-20 Feet |
| Fall Color | Orange |
| Bloom Color | White |
How do you grow a Granny Smith apple tree?
- Choose a healthy granny smith apple tree. ...
- Cut a healthy branch from the granny smith apple tree. ...
- Cut a healthy branch from the rootstock. ...
- Take a sharp knife to cut the bark from the rootstock. ...
- Make a similar cut on the granny smith apple tree branch.
- Glue the cut surfaces with grafting tape.
- Press the two branches together. ...
When is a Granny Smith apple ready to harvest?
Late season trees, 'Granny Smith' apples are harvested in October to January or February, depending upon the climate. In Washington State, apples are generally picked in October. However, in Mediterranean climates with mild winters, fruit often ripens at about the same time as leaf drop.
How do you grow Granny Smith apples?
How do Granny Smith apples grow? Before planting, soak the tree's root ball in water for 30 minutes to help soften up the roots and soil. While the Granny Smith tree is soaking, dig a hole that's big enough to accommodate the size of the sapling's root ball. Once you've dug the hole, place the sapling into the hole and fill the hole back in ...
What does Granny Smith apple taste like?
There is only one word to describe the flavour of Granny Smith: acidic. It is an uncompromising crisp hard apple with a very sharp taste. However, served slightly chilled it can also be very refreshing, and works well in salads. The flavor sweetens in storage.
How long does it take for a Granny Smith apple tree to bear fruit?
3-5 yearsThe tree will take 3-5 years to fully mature and bear fruit. Cross-pollinating trees are necessary for a Granny Smith tree to bear fruit. Plant another apple variety such as Golden Delicious nearby.
Do you need 2 Granny Smith apple trees to produce fruit?
Granny Smith Fruit Trees Need Pollination Although some apple trees have flowers with both male and female parts, your Granny Smith apple tree needs pollination to produce fruit. Unless a near neighbor has an apple tree, you need to plant a second tree within 50 feet of the first.
How tall does a Granny Smith apple tree grow?
12-14 feetGranny Smiths require 400 chill hours and are self-pollinators. For planting, apple trees prefer full sun and slightly acidic soil. At maturity, the Granny Smith apple can reach a height of 12-14 feet and width of 14-16 feet.
How long does a Granny Smith apple tree live?
Granny Smith apple trees that are pruned properly can live more than 50 years.
What pollinates Granny Smith apple tree?
"Granny Smith" and other apple trees rely on bees, insects and even the wind for cross-pollination. The bees carry pollen from the male flowers to female flowers of neighboring trees.
Where do Granny Smith apples grow best?
When growing Granny smith trees, it's best to be somewhere in zones 5 through 9, but this variety will tolerate heat better than many others. You'll need another apple tree as a pollinator as well. Some good options include Red Delicious, Rome Beauty, and Golden Delicious as well as many crabapple varieties.
Does a Granny Smith apple tree need a pollinator?
For example: Granny Smith apple tree is in flowering group 3. It is self-fertile and does not need a pollination partner, but fruiting will usually be improved if there is a compatible partner of a different variety nearby. ... (Most white-blossom crab-apples will also be good pollinators for this variety).
How far apart do you plant Granny Smith apple trees?
Spacing: Standard: 15 feet. Reachables: 6-10 feet. Depth:Locate the planting depth indicator, the marked line above the tree's root system. Spread:Standard: 14-16 feet.
How do you prune a Granny Smith apple tree?
Cut off any branches growing downward, straight upward or toward the trunk. Those branches don't develop very many fruit buds and will eventually rub against or shade more productive fruiting branches.
What should you fertilize apple trees with?
Apple trees require nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium -- the three numbers on fertilizer bags -- as well as various trace minerals. For home growers, fertilizers should have a higher nitrogen ratio to fuel healthy growth. Common granular 20-10-10 fertilizer is suitable for apples.
How many feet do apple trees grow a year?
A young apple tree will grow 12 to 24 inches in a year. A mature, fruit-bearing apple tree will grow 8 to 12 inches each year.
What is the origin of Granny Smith apples?
Today, no one is certain of its parentage, but apple experts suggest the Granny Smith resulted from a cross between a Rome Beauty and a French crabapple. And Granny Smith is among the most popular of apple varieties. The apples are truly versatile. Enjoy them fresh and store for up to six months. You can also use Granny Smith in cider, pies ...
Why are Granny Smith apples so popular?
It is famous for its unique, bright green skin but also enjoyed for the perfect balance of taste between tart and sweet. Granny Smith apple trees are great for the home orchard because they provide these delicious fruits in abundance. The apples can be enjoyed in any culinary use.
Who discovered Granny Smith?
The original Granny Smith was discovered by Australian Maria Ann Smith. The tree grew on her property in a spot where she tossed crabapples . One little seedling grew into an apple tree with beautiful green fruits.
How long can you keep Granny Smith?
Enjoy them fresh and store for up to six months. You can also use Granny Smith in cider, pies and other baked goods, and fresh or cooked in savory dishes. It pairs well as a simple snack with cheese or peanut butter.
Where did the grandmother Smith apple tree come from?
Garden. |. Gardening. By Judy Kilpatrick. The Australian "Granny Smith" apple (Malus domestica) is believed to be a descendant of a French crabapple. The tree was discovered in a compost pile in Sydney, Australia, by Maria Ann Smith nearly 100 years before its introduction into North America in the 1970s. The fruit of "Granny Smith" apple trees is ...
What is the flavor of Granny Smith apples?
The rich, tangy flavor and firm flesh make "Granny Smith" apples suitable for pies, tarts, chunky applesauce and other dishes. "Granny Smith" apples that remain on the tree until leaf drop have a sweeter flavor.
What is the nutritional value of an apple tree?
The "Granny Smith" apple tree produces medium-size fruit. One 154-gram apple contains approximately 80 calories that are all supplied by carbohydrates. With zero fats and sodium, "Granny Smith" apples provide 5 grams of fiber, 20 percent of vitamin C requirements, and 2 percent of vitamin A, calcium and iron, according to the Idaho State Department of Education. "Granny Smith" apple trees in the home garden provide nutritious fruit that can be canned, frozen or kept in the refrigerator for later use.
Why are my apples not turning brown?
Due to the high acid content, these apples do not turn brown after cutting as soon as most other apple varieties. "Granny Smith" apples have firm flesh that holds its shape when slices are cooked until tender. The rich, tangy flavor and firm flesh make "Granny Smith" apples suitable for pies, tarts, chunky applesauce and other dishes.
How much sunlight does a Granny Smith apple tree need?
Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 8, "Granny Smith" apples reach a height and spread of 15 to 25 feet. Plant "Granny Smith" apple trees in locations receiving at least six hours of sunlight each day.
When are apples harvested in Washington State?
Late season trees, "Granny Smith" apples are harvested in October to January or February, depending upon the climate. In Washington State, apples are generally picked in October. However, in Mediterranean climates with mild winters, fruit often ripens at about the same time as leaf drop.
Who is Judy Kilpatrick?
For Judy Kilpatrick, gardening is the best mental health therapy of all. Combining her interests in both of these fields, Kilpatrick is a professional flower grower and a practicing, licensed mental health therapist. A graduate of East Carolina University, Kilpatrick writes for national and regional publications.
Description
Simply irresistible! This classic favorite features a crisp bite and sweet-tart flavor. Tip-bearing tree yields a familiar green fruit perfect for fresh-eating, baking, and making cider. Fruit keeps up to six months in proper storage. Antique variety originates from Australia, circa 1868. Heat-tolerant. Ripens in late October.
Zone Compatibility
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatibility range of this variety before ordering.
Pollination
Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Plant one of these varieties within 50' for best pollination.
Tools & Supplies
Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow apple trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
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Where did the Granny Smith apple come from?
Granny Smith. For other uses, see Granny Smith (disambiguation). The Granny Smith is a tip-bearing apple cultivar which originated in Australia in 1868. It is named after Maria Ann Smith, who propagated the cultivar from a chance seedling.
Where did the Granny Smith grow her fruit?
They purchased a small orchard in the area in 1855–1856 and began cultivating fruit, for which the area was a well known centre in colonial Australia. Smith had eight children and was a prominent figure in the district, earning the nickname "Granny" Smith in her advanced years.
How many children did Granny Smith have?
Smith had eight children and was a prominent figure in the district, earning the nickname "Granny" Smith in her advanced years. The first description of the origin of the Granny Smith apple was not published until 1924. In that year, Farmer and Settler published the account of a local historian who had interviewed two men who had known Smith.
What happens when an apple is overripe?
The apple goes from being completely green to turning yellow when overripe. The US Apple Association reported in 2019 that the Granny Smith was the third most popular apple in the United States of America.
What is the taste of apple?
The fruit is hard, firm and with a light green skin and crisp, juicy flesh. The flavour is tart and acidic. It remains firm when baked, making it a very popular cooking apple used in pies, where it can be sweetened. The apple goes from being completely green to turning yellow when overripe.
When did Gallard's apple get popular?
Gallard was successful in marketing the apple locally, but it did not receive widespread attention until 1890. In that year, it was exhibited as "Smith's Seedling" at the Castle Hill Agricultural and Horticultural Show, and the following year it won the prize for cooking apples under the name "Granny Smith's Seedling.".
Where is the Gazette apple tree grown?
In 1895, the New South Wales Department of Agriculture recognised the cultivar and had begun growing the trees at the Government Experimental Station in Bathurst, New South Wales, recommending the gazette its properties as a late-picking cooking apple for potential export.
Where does the Granny Smith apple tree come from?
The Granny Smith apple tree is native to Australia. The Granny Smith apple tree dates back to 1868 to a chance seedling that was discovered by a woman named Maria Ann Smith. This is the origin of the Granny Smith name. A chance seedling is a term that defines a plant species was discovered by chance. It is thought that the Granny Smith seed is ...
How long do Granny Smith apples live?
Granny Smith apple trees that are pruned properly can live more than 50 years.
What is the fastest growing apple tree?
The Granny Smith apple tree is able to grow in many different types of soil. These apple trees are considered one of the fastest growing apple trees. After the initial season for proper establishment of the tree, the apples from a Granny Smith apple tree can be harvested.
How much sunlight does a Granny Smith apple tree need?
Granny Smith apple trees can be successfully grown in zones six, seven, and eight. They must have at least six hours of sunlight each day. To encourage the most fruit production, a Granny Smith apple tree must be pruned regularly for proper branching.
Why are Granny Smith apples different from other apples?
Apples grown on a Granny Smith apple tree are different from most other types of apples because Granny Smith apples always stay green and do not change color to indicate ripening. Granny Smith apple trees are quite easy to grow and are not overly susceptible to disease or infestation.
When are Granny Smith apples ready to pick?
The Granny Smith apples are usually ready to be picked by November and these apples will stay fresh and flavorful into the next spring. Granny Smith apple trees can be successfully grown in zones six, seven, and eight. After the initial season for proper establishment of the tree, the apples from a Granny Smith apple tree can be harvested.
Can you eat Granny Smith apples?
Granny Smith apples are eating apples as well as cooking and baking apples. Granny Smith apples can be made into applesauce, apple pies, and many other apple cobblers and cakes. Granny Smith apples are also desirable for their long shelf life. They will stay crisp for much longer than other varieties of apples.
How tall is a Granny Smith apple tree?
Apple 'Granny Smith', Granny Smith Apple, Malus 'Granny Smith' 1 Grows up to 12-15 ft. tall and wide (3-5 m). 2 A full sun lover, this tree is easily grown in deep, loamy, moderately fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers a sheltered, frost-free position. 3 Since edible apple cultivars do not grow well on their own roots, most varieties have been grafted onto rootstocks and are classified as dwarf (8-10 ft, 2-3 m), semi-dwarf (12-15 ft, 3-5 m) and standard (18-25 ft, 5-8 m). The fruit itself is full size and not dwarfed. Dwarf or semi-dwarf apple trees offer some benefits: they produce fruit at an earlier age and are easier to manage (spray, prune and harvest). 4 Apples should be pruned every year to get the best crop. They also need to be thinned to about 8 in. apart (20 cm) if you want to reap the best-quality fruit. 5 This deciduous apple tree adds a charming presence, tucked into a shrub border or planted as a specimen. 6 Keep an eye out for aphids, woolly aphid, rosy apple aphid, fruit tree red spider mite, mussel scale, codling moth, caterpillars, Apple scab, apple canker, powdery mildews, blossom wilt and honey fungus. 7 Propagate by chip budding or grafting onto a clonal rootstock for fruit.
When does Granny Smith Apple bloom?
Incredibly popular, Malus domestica 'Granny Smith' is a culinary or dessert cultivar with a profusion of fragrant, pinkish-white flowers in early mid-season (mid spring). Draped in clusters along the branches, they are truly a sight to behold. The flowers attract bees, butterflies and ...
How long does an apple tree keep?
They are perfect for eating or pies and sauce, and keep up to six months in proper storage. Self-fruitful, this apple tree produces a better crop if cross-pollinated with another variety with the same bloom period, such as Golden Delicious or Red Delicious.
How big do apple trees get?
Grows up to 12-15 ft. tall and wide (3-5 m).
Can edible apple trees grow on their own?
Prefers a sheltered, frost-free position. Since edible apple cultivars do not grow well on their own roots, most varieties have been grafted onto rootstocks and are classified as dwarf (8-10 ft, 2-3 m), semi-dwarf (12-15 ft, ...
Do apple trees grow dwarf?
The fruit itself is full size and not dwarfed. Dwarf or semi-dwarf apple trees offer some benefits: they produce fruit at an earlier age and are easier to manage (spray, prune and harvest). Apples should be pruned every year to get the best crop.
How to grow granny smith apple trees from cuttings?
The granny smith apple tree is easy to propagate from cuttings. The secret here is to use a mature branch, preferably from the lower part of the tree. Another advantage is that cuttings produce mature trees in a few months. This is unlike the granny smith apple seed, which takes several years.
How to grow granny smith apple trees from seeds?
The first step is to plant the seeds in a pot. The pot should be big enough to accommodate the roots. Fill the pot with potting mix.
How to grow granny smith apple trees from grafting?
The granny smith apple tree is easily grown from grafting. The grafting process involves combining two apple trees to form one tree. The scion of the granny smith apple tree is grafted with the rootstock of another variety of apple tree. The scion is the part of the tree that bears the fruit. The rootstock is the part that supports the scion.
Caring for a granny smith apple tree
Caring for a granny smith apple tree will help it to reach its full potential. Check the tree in the spring for insects and diseases, and gently rake the soil under the canopy to allow water and fertilizer to reach the roots. Fertilize the tree in the spring and again in the fall. Pesticide use is not recommended for granny smith apple trees.
Final words on growing a granny smith apple tree in your garden
If you’re looking for a great apple tree that is very hardy, or if you want to develop an apple collection in your garden, then the granny smith apple tree is a good choice. It is a good choice for people who want a tree that can be used for fresh eating, baking, and cider making.
What is a Granny Smith apple?
Crisp and tart, Granny Smith apples are excellent for baking as well as snacking. The fruit is a lively green with pale dappling and grows on a Granny Smith apple tree (Malus x domestica "Granny Smith"). It pays to lavish care on your Granny Smith tree since it can grace your yard for more than 50 years.
Where did the Granny Smith apple tree originate?
The Granny Smith apple tree owes its existence to the sharp eye of one Maria Smith, who propagated a new seedling from discarded apple cores in Australia in 1868, according to the Arbor Day Foundation. Today, her namesake apple tree still prefers the sun; it thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9, ...
How big do Granny Smith trees get?
When planting your Granny Smith sapling, it pays to remember that a standard tree will grow swiftly to its mature height of 12 to 20 feet tall, with a width of 10 to 14 feet. Space your tree with enough spread room so it can grow freely and still get full sun.
When do apples bloom?
Nearly any type of apple tree will do, as long as it blooms in spring like the Granny Smith. Alternatively, purchase a grafted apple tree that produces several varieties of apples on different branches.
Can Granny Smith apples grow in the sun?
Today, her namesake apple tree still prefers the sun; it thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9, Grow Organic says. In fact, it should be planted in full sun so it can absorb at least six hours of rays a day to bear fruit. As with other apple tree varieties, avoid planting a Granny Smith apple tree in low areas ...
Do Granny Smith apples need pollination?
Although some apple trees have flowers with both male and female parts, your Granny Smith apple tree needs pollination to produce fruit. Unless a near neighbor has an apple tree, you need to plant a second tree within 50 feet of the first. Nearly any type of apple tree will do, as long as it blooms in spring like the Granny Smith. Alternatively, purchase a grafted apple tree that produces several varieties of apples on different branches.
How tall do apple trees grow?
Our dwarf apple trees are grafted for a more controlled size. Most dwarf trees maintain heights of between 10 to 15 feet, which make them easier for fitting into small landscapes and easily picking fruit.
How big do apple trees get?
Apple tree sizes. Apple trees come in many different sizes, from full-size trees to dwarf trees that grow 8-10 feet tall . You'll want to evaluate the size of your planting area to determine what apple variety is best - and remember, in most cases, you'll want to leave room for at least two apple trees, if not more.
Why do apple trees need pruning?
Pruning is helpful to an apple tree’s fruit production. Apple trees will push out branches naturally in every direction and fill them out with fruit. This can make for smaller fruit, uneven development, and reduced productivity. Proper pruning allows for the fruit to be properly spaced out.
Why do apples have so few blossoms?
Apple trees can have good and bad years. This is another good reason to have more than one tree, even if your tree is self-fertile. At times, a tree may have very few blossoms, even when the spring weather is good. This can often be caused by incorrect pruning during the previous summer.
What are the benefits of grafted trees?
One benefit of grafted trees is they will bear fruit much more quickly than those grown from seed- with grafted trees, you can even get a tree that bears fruit the first year. Some popular varieties of apple trees include: Honeycrisp Apple Trees. Fuji Apple Trees. Gala Apple Trees. Red Delicious Apple Trees.
How many varieties of apples are there?
There are more than 8,000 different varieties of apples. Most are bred for their taste and utilitarian use, including cooking and cider production. Apple trees are generally produced by grafting (attaching a piece of an existing tree to a root stock to form a new tree) or from seeds.
Why are apples not self fertile?
Most apple trees are not self-fertile - that means they need pollen from another apple or related tree in order to bear fruit. One of the main causes of reduced crops is poor pollination, so your trees will benefit greatly and bear more fruit when you cross-pollinate.
Overview
The Granny Smith, also known as a green apple or sour apple, is an apple cultivar which originated in Australia in 1868. It is named after Maria Ann Smith, who propagated the cultivar from a chance seedling. The tree is thought to be a hybrid of Malus sylvestris, the European wild apple, with the domesticated apple Malus domestica as the polleniser.
The fruit is hard, firm and with a light green skin and crisp, juicy flesh. The flavour is tart and acid…
History
The Granny Smith cultivar originated in Eastwood, New South Wales, Australia (now a suburb of Sydney) in 1868. Its discoverer, Maria Ann Smith (née Sherwood ), had emigrated to the district from Beckley, East Sussex in 1839 with her husband Thomas. They purchased a small orchard in the area in 1855–1856 and began cultivating fruit, for which the area was a well known centre in colon…
Properties
Granny Smith apples are light green in colour. They are popularly used in many apple dishes, such as apple pie, apple cobbler, apple crumble, and apple cake. They are also commonly eaten raw as table apples, and at least one company (Woodchuck Hard Cider) makes Granny Smith varietal cider.
It is moderately susceptible to fire blight and is highly prone to scab, powdery mi…
Cultural references
In 1968, the rock band The Beatles used an image of a Granny Smith apple as the logo for their corporation, Apple Corps Limited. For their record label, Apple Records, one side of vinyl albums featured the exterior of the fruit, while the other side of the recording featured a cross-section of the apple.
Yoko Ono's 1966 artwork Apple used a Granny Smith apple in its 2015 recreation at New York City's Museum …
See also
• Candy apple
• List of apple dishes
External links
• Media related to Granny Smith at Wikimedia Commons