|Apple trees can grow to a height of 30 feet and a width of 15
feet with a growth of 8 to 12 feet per year. They require rich
soil, moderate watering, good drainage and full sun. When
planting, space trees according to their ultimate size. To
prevent corrective pruning later on, frequent light pruning
during the tree's early years is required. It is recommended to
prune mature trees to allow new growth and to permit sunlight to
reach into the tree to discourage mildew. Scab is the most
troublesome disease that affects apple trees. Fire blight, apple
rust disease, black rot, and bitter rot can all be a problem as
well as the following insect pests: aphids, red mite, flat-
headed apple-tree borer, friot-tree bark beetle, codling moth,
and apple maggots.