There is some variation in the flowering periods of varieties but on the whole the times are very consistent. Winter temperatures and district can affect flowering periods. In the following tables varieties are in seven flowering groups. Select if possible varieties within the same group for pollination. The old very late variety 'Crawley Beauty' is sufficiently selffertile to set a crop.
Most varieties bear their fruit mainly on spurs formed on the older branches.
The tip bearers do so on the tips of one year-old shoots. Some sorts fruit on both kinds of wood. A number of small trees in a range of varieties covering a long season is preferable to a few large trees each giving an excessive quantity of fruit at one season and with one flavor. Apple trees have a long expectation of life and may remain fruitful and healthy for 50 years or more. Cultivation Apples prefer deep loam but can be grown on sandy soils and heavy clays, if care is taken to drain wet soils and irrigate dry ones.