Apple tree Cortland

Growing and breeding apples is very popular among summer residents and farmers. Everyone is trying to plant that apple variety, which will not be too capricious to care for, will give a high yield, and also its fruits will be stored for a long time. One of these is the American variety Cortland, which is grown in almost all regions of Russia.

Cortland is an apple variety with a long history, which was bred by American breeders back in 1898, but gained popularity 20 years later. The species was obtained as a result of crossing two varieties - Macintosh and Ben-Davis.

This species is a tall tree with a powerful trunk and large branches, reaching a height of 5-6 meters, characterized by a wide pyramidal or rounded crown with many leaves of different shades. A feature of the tree is a highly developed root system that grows deep into the ground. The Cortland apple tree belongs to long-livers, as it can grow up to 70 years.

The Cortland winter apple tree has a dozen advantages that make it a pleasure for gardeners and farmers to grow on their plots. The most important advantages of the variety are: the compactness of the tree itself, the expressive taste of the fruits, the attractive appearance of apples, quick adaptation to the soil, high keeping quality, as well as unpretentious care.

Along with the advantages, it is worth pointing out some disadvantages, including: weak immunity to diseases and pest infestations, as well as low resistance to frost.

Flowering begins in late May and can last until mid-June (depending on the region of the tree). During this period, the crown is covered with large white-pink flowers that emit a pleasant aroma. Since the variety is winter, the phase of active fruiting begins at the end of September and lasts 2-3 weeks. The first harvest can be harvested in the 5-6 year of growth and development of the apple tree, but the peak yield is observed from 7 to 25 years. Flowering and fruiting times may shift slightly due to weather fluctuations.

Since the winter hardiness of the tree is average, a region with a temperate climate is optimal for growing. Today the apple tree takes root well in the central and southern regions of our country, in the south of Ukraine, in Belarus, in the Baltic states. The apple tree is massively grown in the Saratov, Kursk and Volgograd regions.

The yield indicators of the variety are moderate, but with proper care and optimal climatic conditions, the yield increases annually, reaching excellent indicators. The variety is characterized by stable and high-quality fruits that can easily tolerate transportation and long-term storage. On average, up to 20-25 kg of apples can be harvested from one adult tree per season.

The fruits of the tree do not differ in their huge size and high weight (the average weight of an apple is 90-135 grams), but their taste and aroma are remembered forever.The fruit of a round-elongated shape is characterized in an immature state by a yellow-green color with barely noticeable reddish stripes, a thin skin and a bluish bloom, washed off by running water. When fully ripe, the apple turns reddish. The taste of the fruit is rich, sweet and sour, with a lot of juice.

Planting seedlings is possible both in early spring, when the soil is warm enough, and in autumn, 30-45 days before frost, so that there is time for the adaptation of the root system. The planting site should be cleared of weeds, well dug, fluffed so that the soil breathes, and also saturated with fertilizers. It is recommended to enrich poor soil with wood ash or peat. The area should be well lit by the sun, protected from drafts and strong gusts of wind, and also be away from groundwater flow. As for the soil, it is recommended to choose fertile, loose, loamy or sandy loam soil.

The apple tree belongs to the class of self-fertile plants, so pollinators are indispensable. For high-quality pollination, it is necessary to plant several types of apple trees in the same area, the flowering periods of which coincide. The best pollinating trees are Boyken and Golden Delicious.

Fertilizers stimulate the growth and development of the tree, providing high yields and high immunity to diseases and pest attacks. Feeding is performed three times a year. In early spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied, and in summer they are saturated with phosphorus and potassium. In late autumn, it is necessary to apply organic fertilizers to the trunk circle, thus preparing the tree for winter. Do not forget about feeding at the time of active flowering of the tree, using a settled urea infusion.

The winter hardiness of the variety is average, therefore, in regions with severe frosts, it will be necessary to provide the tree with additional care - insulation of the trunk and the near-stem zone.

To prevent the tree from contracting fungal diseases, preventive measures will be needed to increase immunity. The most necessary and simple thing that even an inexperienced gardener can handle when caring for an apple tree is stripping and whitewashing the bark of the trunk and skeletal branches, regular watering, pruning and fertilization, as well as preventive spraying in autumn and spring. To avoid powdery mildew infections, fungicide treatments should be carried out.

Based on the numerous reviews of gardeners and farmers, we can conclude that the Cortland apple tree is an exceptionally tasty variety that pampers with a good harvest every year. A huge advantage is the storage duration of the fruit, while all the nutritional and taste qualities are preserved. Many novice gardeners note the simplicity of tree care, which does not require effort and financial spending. The only difficulty for some is preparing the tree for winter and the correct pruning of branches, the formation of the crown.