Trying to grow apples in Hardiness Zone 3 is very risky. If the site is prone to spring frost, you may lose your crop before it begins to grow. Heavy winds may break the graft union or make your trees lean. This breaks the roots and weakens the anchorage of the roots to the soil. Once you have considered the above economic and environmental factors, you will be selecting a site.
Site refers to the way the tract of land is in relation to the environment surrounding it.
Avoid areas at the bottom of the hill where cold air settles and frost pockets form. A south facing slope receives more sun, thereby warming faster in the spring. A north facing slope will be colder, warming up late in the spring. Deep, sandy clay loam soils are best for orchard sites. Before selecting a site, consult a county survey map.