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how do you grow a liberty apple tree

by Dr. Sister Grimes Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Easy to grow, caring for a Liberty apple tree starts with locating it in the right spot. Plant your young tree in loamy, well-drained soil in full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 4-7, Liberty apple information calls this tree a prolific producer. A semi-dwarf hybrid, Liberty apple trees produce substantial crops in the home orchard or landscape.

Plant your apple trees in full sun with loamy, well drained soil and they will be the answer to your fruit tree dreams. As part of the low spray apple group, Liberty has excellent disease resistant properties thereby affording the grower a fruit tree that can be grown organically.

Full Answer

How do you grow Liberty apples?

Resistant to apple scab and other diseases, Liberty apple growing provides big, red fruits that generally are ready for harvest in September. Many grow it as a replacement for the McIntosh apple tree. Learning how to grow Liberty apples is not difficult. Once you plant your apple tree, keep it watered in well until it develops a good root system.

Are Liberty apples hard to grow?

Resistant to apple scab and other diseases, Liberty apple growing provides big, red fruits that generally are ready for harvest in September. Many grow it as a replacement for the McIntosh apple tree. Caring for a Liberty Apple Tree Learning how to grow Liberty apples is not difficult.

What zone do Liberty apple trees grow in?

Hardy in USDA zones 4-7, Liberty apple information calls this tree a prolific producer. A semi-dwarf hybrid, Liberty apple trees produce substantial crops in the home orchard or landscape. Resistant to apple scab and other diseases, Liberty apple growing provides big, red fruits that generally are ready for harvest in September.

What is the hard way to grow an apple tree?

Growing apple trees “the hard way” is a three-step process. Go to the garden centre and chose from the apple varieties that you’re familiar with, like Honeycrisp or McIntosh. Bring the tree home and plant it. Wait for the harvest. So, what’s wrong with this approach? Let’s see where the problems lie.

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Do Liberty apple trees need a pollinator?

Pollinator:Freedom, Golden Delicious, McIntosh will pollinate Liberty. Liberty is a good pollinator for other varieties.

Where do Liberty apples grow?

Hardy in USDA zones 4-7, Liberty apple information calls this tree a prolific producer.

How big do Liberty apple trees get?

Size at Maturity: Dwarf 8-12ft. / Semi-dwarf 12-16 ft. Yield: 30-50 lbs. Pests & Diseases: Liberty is very resistant to Apple Scab.

Are Liberty apples edible?

Shiny, deep-red,(lighter the further south Liberty is grown) crisp apple that is scab immune and resistant to mildew, cedar apple rust and fire blight. Late summer ripening. Keeps well....Malus spp.Plant CharacteristicsSoil TypeAdaptableEdible TypeFruitSelf FertileYes15 more rows

Is Liberty a good apple tree?

Not to be confused with the Big Apple, New York City, the Liberty apple is a prized sweet and mildly tart fresh eating apple that offers a high level of disease resistance. Perfect for the home grower, Liberty apple trees will become one of your favorite homegrown, orchard producers.

What are Liberty apples like?

Liberty apple. Liberty was developed at the famous Geneva Research Station in the 1960s. It is derived from Macoun, and is very much a McIntosh-style apple, with red skin and juicy flesh. The flavor is well balanced, perhaps sharper than many of the Mac-related varieties but still with the characteristic vinous note.

Is Liberty apple sweet or sour?

The Liberty apple is sweet like a McIntosh, yet more tart and has a flavor profile very much its own including some hints of citrus and melon.

Is Liberty apple disease resistant?

Liberty Apple is a very disease resistant apple that ripens in early October. The skin color is red with a yellow background. The flesh is slightly tart. Much sought after by home apple growers as it was bred to have resistance to apple scab, cedar-apple rust, fireblight and mildew.

How do you store Liberty apples?

Wrap each apple — preferably with the stem on — in a piece of newspaper or kraft paper. The paper keeps the apples separate. Place the wrapped apples in a crate or bin, ideally in a single layer. Or store them on trays such as those in our Orchard Rack.

Do apple trees need another tree to pollinate?

Cross pollination between apple trees is crucial to achieving good fruit set when growing apples. While some fruiting trees are self-fruitful or self-pollinating, apple tree pollination requires cross varieties of apples to facilitate cross pollination of apple trees.

Is Liberty apple sweet or sour?

The Liberty apple is sweet like a McIntosh, yet more tart and has a flavor profile very much its own including some hints of citrus and melon.

What is the most disease resistant apple tree?

Cortland AppleLiberty. One of the best disease-resistant cultivars, Liberty is highly resistant to apple scab and resistant to cedar apple rust and fire blight. ... Enterprise. ... Goldrush. ... Pristine. ... Redfree.

How do you store Liberty apples?

Wrap each apple — preferably with the stem on — in a piece of newspaper or kraft paper. The paper keeps the apples separate. Place the wrapped apples in a crate or bin, ideally in a single layer. Or store them on trays such as those in our Orchard Rack.

How long does it take for a Liberty apple tree to bear fruit?

Your favorite snacking spot might be right under her branches. Liberty can bear fruit after 3 years, maybe 4 years depending on your zone, weather, soil, and bloom time.

How tall is a Liberty apple tree?

The suckers will leach nutrients from the soil that is needed by the apple tree. Your standard Liberty can reach a height of 20-25 feet. The dwarf and semi dwarf plants will be somewhat smaller. Pruning will keep your plants at a height and breadth of your liking.

What is the best soil for an apple tree?

One of the most disease resistant apples varieties ever developed, this semi dwarf fruit tree is apple scab resistant. An important consideration for the grower. Plant your apple trees in full sun with loamy, well drained soil and they will be the answer to your fruit tree dreams.

What is a Liberty apple?

Not to be confused with the Big Apple, New York City, the Liberty apple is a prized sweet and mildly tart fresh eating apple that offers a high level of disease resistance. Perfect for the home grower, Liberty apple trees will become one of your favorite homegrown, orchard producers. The Liberty apple is known for producing healthy fruit ...

How to make apples chunky?

Dice several apples into small chunks, add cinnamon and sugar to taste, and sauté with a little bit of water to keep them from sticking to the pan. Cook gently, stirring often, until they reach your desired consistency – either chunky or smooth.

When do Liberty apples ripen?

Liberty apples are deep dark red with small dots sprinkled on the surface skin. They are in the group of apples that ripen in mid fall, just in time for all those traditional apple recipes.

Is Liberty a good tree?

Removing toxins from our food is one of the best ways to eat healthy and keep our bodies safe from poison substances. Liberty is one of the few fruit trees resistant to apple scab, fire blight, and cedar apple rust; the trifecta of apple diseases.

How big does a Freedom Apple tree get?

When growing a Freedom apple tree, make sure you find the right space for it. Your tree will grow between 12 and 15 feet (3.5 to 4.5 m.) tall and wide, and it needs a half to a full day of sun.

How long does it take for an apple tree to bear fruit?

Your tree will need a little nitrogen-heavy fertilizer once it starts to bear fruit, which should be within two to five years for Freedom.

What is the best apple tree to grow in?

Good choices are Liberty, Cortland, UltraMac, and Starskpur. The Freedom apple tree is cold hardy and grows well in zones 4 through 8. It is a pretty tree with a good spreading shape. The apples themselves have a good flavor. They are large, round and bright red with a creamy flesh and ripen between late September and early October.

What is freedom apple?

What are Freedom Apples? Freedom is a variety of apple that was developed in the 1950s by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. It was created to be resistant to a number of diseases, like apple scab, cedar apple rust, powdery mildew, and fire blight.

Can you grow apples in your garden?

Image by National Fruit Collection, Brogdale. If you have tried, and struggled, to grow apples in your home garden, it was likely diseases that made it so challenging. Apple trees can be vulnerable to a range of diseases, but one variety that is easier to grow thanks to its resistance to many problems is called the Freedom apple.

How can we improve the health of apple trees?

We improve tree health by improving air circulation within the tree. Good air circulation prevents apple tree pest and disease problems, because many pests and most fungal spores need dark, damp, and warm conditions to thrive.

How tall do apple trees grow?

If you are planting apple trees grafted onto dwarfing root stock (like M26 or B9), they will grow to just 7 feet at maturity. If you want larger apple trees, you may opt instead for a semi dwarf root stock (like M106) that will result in trees up to 14 feet tall in maturity.

Why is my honeycrisp apple tree bitter?

That’s partly because Honeycrisp apple trees are vulnerable to bitter pit. This disorder can make the apple flesh spotty, spongy and bitter tasting. Bitter pit is a problem that even professional orchardists have trouble dealing with.

Why are apple trees so hard to grow?

Sadly, fruit trees also have a down side because they experience pest and disease problems, poor production, and nutrient deficiencies. And growing apple trees is notoriously difficult. When growing apple trees, there are so many potential problems to contend with. Homegrown apples can be wormy, bitter and unappealing.

How to get rid of apple tree diseases?

Some diseases can effectively be removed with pruning. Others can be prevented using organic anti-fungal sprays. And some pest problems can be defeated with a once a year spray, using an appropriate dormant oil.

What apple varieties are available in the garden centre?

Go to the garden centre and chose from the apple varieties that you’re familiar with, like Honeycrisp or McIntosh.

What diseases are common in apple trees?

Other popular varieties are vulnerable to diseases including fire blight, apple scab, and powdery mildew. These diseases make it much harder to keep your tree healthy and productive. Commercial orchardists use harsh and often toxic chemical sprays to protect their trees from these diseases.

Description

A prolific bearer that excels where McIntosh won’t. Tree is low-maintenance due to its natural disease resistance to apple scab, cedar apple rust, fire blight, and powdery mildew. Fruit has a yellow background with attractive red overtones, a crisp white flesh, and a harmonious sweet-tart taste.

Zone Compatibility

The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatibility range of this variety before ordering.

Pollination

Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Plant one of these varieties within 50' for best pollination.

Tools & Supplies

Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.

Planting & Care

Learn all about how to grow apple trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.

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We've 'tagged' this item with specific keywords that help you find other products that share features or characteristics with this one. Select a tag below to view all the items that have that particular trait.

What is the most widely grown Mac style apple?

Developed from McIntosh, Cortland is one of the most widely-grown Mac-style apples.

What is the name of the apple that is the parent of McIntosh?

A very hardy north country apple, known both as the Snow Apple and Fameuse, and the probable parent of McIntosh.

Is Wolf River apple good for the North?

Wolf River is the perfect cooking apple for the north - reliable, cold-hardy, disease resistant.

Apple Semi-Dwarf Liberty (Malus)

This tree produces large, bright red fruit with a yellowish crisp, juicy flesh. Liberty is resistant to apple scab, cedar-apple rust, fire blight, and mildew. It's a hardy, vigorous, productive, annual bearer that is good for fresh eating, cooking, canning, and desserts. These apples carry a long storage life.

Planting and Care

Apple trees need well-drained soil that’s not too wet. They like soils that are moderately rich and retain moisture as well as air. Use mulch combined with straw, hay, or some other organic material to keep soil moist and provide nutrients as they decompose.

Shipping Times

Our FedEx and local shipping times depend on two factors, one is by the region and the second is the type of product being shipped. For example, small fruits are only shipped in spring, but majority of our perennials are shipped from spring until fall. Keep in mind the dates below act as a general guide.

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Origin and History of The ‘Liberty’ Apple Variety

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‘Liberty’ is a hybrid apple cultivar developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva in the 1970s. It is a cross between ‘Macoun’ and ‘Purdue 54-12’ (a Japanese flowering crab apple). The goal was to develop an apple variety that is resistant to the bacterial apple disease fire blight (Erwinia amylovor…
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‘Liberty’ Apple: Taste and Characteristics

  • ‘Liberty’ apples are medium to very large and have an oblate to conical shape. The base skin colour is yellowish, but it is barely visible beneath the dark red on top, which typically covers more than 90% of the surface. The stalk is short, and the pits of the stalk and calyx are slightly russeted. The flesh is yellow, crisp and juicy, with a rather tangy taste that is balanced by a slight sweetne…
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Tips on Cultivation and Care

  • ‘Liberty’ apple trees need a moderately warm climate and are not overly sensitive to frost. Depending on which rootstock it is combined with, this variety is relatively undemanding in terms of soil. Any normal garden soil is suitable; only extremely loose and sandy soils or particularly heavy, clayey soils have a negative effect on the tree. ‘Liber...
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Harvesting ‘Liberty’ Apples

  • ‘Liberty’ is a typical autumn variety that can be harvested as early as mid to late September, depending on the weather. The ‘Liberty’ apple has a very short harvest window because all of the apples ripen almost simultaneously and fall to the ground shortly after. The variety develops its best flavour between October and December. Unfortunately, it cannot be stored past Christmas. …
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1.Liberty Apple Information: Learn How To Grow Liberty …

Url:https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/apples/caring-for-a-liberty-apple-tree.htm

26 hours ago How to Prune a Liberty Apple Tree. Step 0: Aim for a Central Leader, Pyramidal Form. Step 1: Remove Any Dead, Diseased, or Damaged Limbs (3 D’s) Step 2: Prune Competing Central Leader Branches. Step 3: Prune Non-Primary Scaffold Branches. Step 4: Prune Suckers.

2.Videos of How Do You Grow a Liberty Apple Tree

Url:/videos/search?q=how+do+you+grow+a+liberty+apple+tree&qpvt=how+do+you+grow+a+liberty+apple+tree&FORM=VDRE

12 hours ago Need full sun, well-drained soil, and moderate fertility. Thin fruit to maximize quality and size. Susceptible to codling moth, apple scab, powdery mildew, and gophers. Generally cross-fertile, which means that the variety is not best pollinated by itself, but by …

3.All About The Liberty Apple - Minneopa Orchards

Url:https://minnetonkaorchards.com/liberty-apple/

10 hours ago Liberty ( Malus domestica ) is in flowering group 2 . Liberty is a triploid variety which will not pollinate other apple varieties. You will either need two pollination partners nearby which must each be different varieties and able to cross-pollinate each other as well as the Liberty, or a single self-fertile compatible pollination partner.

4.Freedom Apple Tree Care – How To Grow A Freedom …

Url:https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/apples/freedom-apple-tree-care.htm

12 hours ago Apple trees need well-drained soil that’s not too wet. They like soils that are moderately rich and retain moisture as well as air. Use mulch combined with straw, hay, or some other organic material to keep soil moist and provide nutrients as they …

5.Learn how to grow apple trees, the easy way - Orchard …

Url:https://orchardpeople.com/growing-apple-trees-the-easy-way/

25 hours ago

6.Liberty Apple Tree - Stark Bro’s

Url:https://www.starkbros.com/products/fruit-trees/apple-trees/liberty-apple

26 hours ago

7.List of pollination partners for Liberty apple - Orange …

Url:https://www.orangepippintrees.com/pollinationchecker.aspx?v=10154

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8.Apple Semi-Dwarf Liberty (Malus) - mckaynursery.com

Url:https://www.mckaynursery.com/semi-dwarf-liberty

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