All apple trees need a rest period. They must have many hours of cool winter weather with below 48°F during which they are dormant. However, there is an enormous range in this requirement, so there are varieties suitable for any climate except subtropical and low desert regions.

Apples prefer full sun but can still produce fruit with only five to six hours of sun a day. They will grow in most types of soil that is slightly acidic (pH 6.0 to 6.5). In central and northern areas of the U.S., plant dormant apple trees in the spring. Where winters are mild, it is advisable to plant them in the fall, but the tree must be dormant.

Plant dwarf apples 8 to 10 feet apart and keep grass away from the trunk as far as the dripline. These trees will bear fruit their first year and the average yield from an established dwarf tree is 60 to 120 apples or 24 to 48 pounds of fruit. Semi-dwarfs will bear fruit in three to six years. The average yield in a year is about 350 apples or 144 pounds of fruit. Make sure to plant semi-dwarfs 18 to 20 feet apart. Standard trees are the most vigorous, yet are slowest to bear fruit. They eventually yield heavy crops. Average yield is 1,200 to 1,800 apples or 480 to 720 pounds. Plant standards 30 to 35 feet apart.