This publication offers the amateur fruit grower some advice on the proper selection and care of apple trees. Plentiful sunlight is a key to maximizing fruit production. Choose an area in your landscape that is in the sun most or all of the day. Otherwise, expect reduced performance from the trees. Early morning sun is particularly important to dry dew from the plants, thereby reducing the incidence of diseases.
Good drainage is a more important consideration than soil fertility.
Avoid soils and sites that are not well drained. Poor drainage would be expected in an area where water stands for more than 24 hours after a rain. In these areas, roots will not receive enough oxygen and will die, resulting in stunted growth and eventual death of the tree. If such condition exists, planting on a raised terrace will help. In areas with alkaline soils, cotton root rot is a severe problem for which there is no control at this time.