Deciduous trees do not all produce leaves at the same time in spring. In this article we will clarify when this is the case with the apple tree and what the leaves of the popular fruit tree look like.
When does the apple tree's leaves emerge?
At the time of flowering in springthe apple tree is already decorated with thefirst leaves,the so-called sepals, which sit directly under the blossom. The full leaf emergence of the fruit tree follows after flowering, around the end of April.
In which month does the apple tree produce leaves?
The leaves of the apple trees unfold,depending on the weather conditions,betweenend of April and mid-May. They are used to open the leaf buds responsible for longer and warmer days in spring.
Due to climate change, leaves emerge around one to two weeks earlier than a few decades ago. It also depends on the location, because the higher you go in the mountains, for example, the later the buds break due to the significantly lower temperature here.
What does the leaf shoot of the apple tree look like?
The fresh foliage of the apple tree, which sits alternately on the branch, is stillquite softandlight greencolored. It already has the typical oval shape with slightly sawn edges.
Does the apple tree produce leaves or flowers first?
When the actualleaf shootsjustbegins, theapple trees are already in full bloom. The trees initially form sepals at the base of the flower buds. The leaf buds on the branches then open.
- The apple tree produces flowers before the leaves actually emerge, as this is the most important prerequisite for the reproduction of the trees.
- Then followed by the leaves, which are important for photosynthesis and provide nutrition.
Can pests already attack leaf shoots?
Theapple frost moth attackstheapple tree as soon as it shoots and causes the leaves to wilt. In this case, the fresh leaves show clear signs of damage. If the infestation is severe, the fruit tree may even be damaged.
- The frost moth is a rather inconspicuous, light gray-brown colored small butterfly.
- From May you can discover the small, green larvae on the light green foliage of the apple tree. These move along in a characteristic pushing manner.
- Apple tree pests are combated using glue rings installed from October onwards (€22.00 on Amazon).
Tip
Leaf shoots, but no flowers
If the apple tree sprouts without flowering first, there is no reason to panic. Young trees often take some time before they bear their first fruit. If you have perhaps even grafted the fruit tree yourself, you may have to be patient for five to ten years before the first harvest.
