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It is difficult to imagine a garden in which at least one Apple tree... Probably, the inhabitants of Russia love these fruit trees, first of all, for the duration of their fruiting: summer, autumn and winter apple trees give their fruits in turn. Thus, the summer resident and his family can feast on vitamin and delicious fruits all year round. Specifically, summer apple varieties have both advantages and some disadvantages. These varieties are appreciated for the early ripening period - in July you can enjoy fresh fruits from your own garden. However, there are also disadvantages - for example, summer apples cannot be stored for a long time.
About the best summer apple varieties with photo and description each type will be described in this article. The classification of summer varieties will also be described here, the features of all groups will be listed.
Features of early maturing species
Summer varieties of apple trees are varieties whose fruit ripening begins in mid-July and ends in the last days of August. The peculiarity of such apples is that they are intended for fresh consumption. Of course, you can make mashed potatoes or juices from the fruits, but they will not be stored - for a maximum of a month, and then in the lower drawer of the refrigerator.
A summer resident who wants to have a summer apple tree in his garden should remember one more factor. The flowering dates of neighboring trees of the same type (that is, apple trees) should not coincide. That is why it is not recommended to plant two summer varieties next to each other, or to plant a summer apple tree near the autumn one.
In the event that the periods of flowering of neighboring trees overlap each other, cross-pollination will occur, and the apple tree will no longer have specific characteristics of the variety. This is how breeders act when they are trying to get a new hybrid, and simple summer residents do not need to re-pollinate trees.
Experts also note the increased winter hardiness of summer apples. This fact is explained precisely by early fruiting: having given the harvest in mid-to-late summer, trees have enough time to prepare before wintering. But there is also a downside to the coin: in regions with frequent recurrent frosts, the buds of summer apple trees often freeze out, as they swell first.
Early summer species
Early summer apple trees are those whose fruits begin to ripen in the first decade of July. Such varieties are not very widespread in Russia, since in a temperate climate, not only buds, but also apple flowers often suffer from spring frosts.
In any case, for an early summer apple tree, you should choose a well-lit place that is located on a hill. It will be great if it will be a plot on the south side of the garden, reliably protected from cold winds and high humidity (fog, melt water).
The names of the most popular early maturing species will be given below.
Aport White
This variety is very common in the Kuban. Apple trees have excellent winter hardiness, do not freeze, and are resistant to scab. Trees begin to bear fruit 5-6 years after planting and are considered "long-livers".Fruits ripen early, but it is not recommended to pick them until the end of July, as apples ripen better on the branches, become sweeter and tastier.
The big plus of the variety is that you can store fruits until mid-September. And also, with proper care, trees can bear fruit every year. The fruits have a slightly elongated or conical shape, their peel is thin, green. The average weight of Aport apple is about 60-70 grams.
The summer species is not picky about the composition of the soil, pleases with a high and stable yield, rarely gets sick. The unsuitability of the fruit for transportation and the rather ordinary taste of the fruit can upset the summer resident.
Astrakhan Red
A very unpretentious apple variety that can withstand severe frosts, winds, poor soil quality, high humidity or severe drought. The trees enter the fruiting phase 5-6 years after planting or rootstock. The trees are harvested annually.
Apples are considered table apples, they are most often consumed fresh. The suitability of this summer variety for transportation cannot but rejoice - if the fruits are picked unripe, they will not be crumpled and brown on the way.
Summer apples ripen very early - until mid-July. Fruits are medium to small in size, with red skin and white or greenish flesh.
July
Another sweet early summer apples that ripen in the first decade of July. The trees have good winter hardiness, they look good and have a high yield. On the branches, the fruits are arranged in bunches, the fruits themselves are very beautiful.
Apples of medium and large size, weighing from 120 to 190 grams. The color of the fruit is interesting, a little blurry, there is a beautiful blush. The taste characteristics of the fruit are very high, which is rare for early summer species.
Summer views
A group with medium ripening times is usually called summer varieties. These include apple trees entering the fruiting phase from mid-July to tenths of August.
White Fill (Papirovka)
This summer variety appeared in private gardens in the Baltics, but has become very widespread in summer cottages and gardens throughout Russia. Trees begin to bear fruit 7-8 years after planting, and their life expectancy often exceeds 45 years.
Papirovka apples are medium in size, have a glossy greenish-white rind, and a barely noticeable ribbing of the surface of the fruit. The taste and aroma of these summer fruits are very good, but here storage they cannot stand it - they become “wadded” and tasteless.
July Chernenko
These apples ripen in late July and early August. Fruits are medium in size (up to 180 grams), round, with a slight ribbing. The surface of the fruit is painted in a juicy green color, with a cherry blush, which makes the fruit especially attractive and colorful.
The flesh of the July apple is very tender, but its taste quickly deteriorates when stored for more than 10-12 days.
Quinty
Summer apple tree of Canadian origin. Recommended by the State Register for the Central and North Caucasian regions. The fruits of this variety ripen together in the first decade of August. The weight of the fruit is average, there is no ribbing on the surface, the peel is yellow-green, there is a large raspberry spot on the side.
Quinti apples have a very pleasant taste, sweet-sour, strong aroma. A freshly plucked apple has a greenish flesh; after a short storage, it acquires a white tint, becomes very juicy.
Late maturing species
Late-summer apples ripen in the last days of August.A distinctive feature of this group of apple trees is the longer storage of fruits and the suitability of the crop for transportation.
Melba
A variety of Canadian selection, obtained by crossing the famous Macintosh apple tree. Harvesting of these apples begins around August 15, and fruiting ends at the end of September.
Fruits are round, slightly elongated, average size - about 150-180 grams. The peel on the apples is dense, light green in color, covered with a slight bloom. Fully ripe fruits are easily distinguished by yellowed skin and a pronounced red spot on the side.
Fruit taste apple trees melba sweet and sour, juicy pulp, rich aroma. The tree begins to bear fruit as early as 3-4 years after planting.
The beauty of the garden
Summer apple ripening occurs after August 20. The shape of the fruit is round, slightly elongated, with a slight ribbing. The peel of unripe apples is white; after ripening, pink stripes appear on it, and the undertone acquires a more yellow or beige color.
The fruits cannot be transported; they can be stored for no longer than two weeks. The taste is excellent, the pulp is juicy, the aroma is pronounced.
New varieties
Old varieties summer apple trees are gradually being replaced by more modern developments of breeders. New apple trees show great winter hardiness, immunity to scab and other diseases, good yields, and unpretentiousness to the climate. And most importantly, they have even earlier ripening periods.
Gaia
This high-yielding summer apple variety was registered just two years ago. Ripening of fruits is early, massively fruits ripen in the last days of July.
The fruits are round, medium in size, have a dense yellow-green peel and a pronounced blush. The taste of the variety is very good, the pulp is tender, fine-grained, the aroma is very rich.
Summer Red
Summer apple with later ripening dates - early August. The trees are powerful and grow very quickly. The fruits are large (on average, 220 grams), have an ovoid shape, almost the same size.
The skin is dense, yellow-green in color, there is a scarlet blush and slight ribbing. The taste is good, sweet and sour, very refreshing.
Early columnar views
Summer varieties of columnar apple trees cannot be ignored, because this type of fruit tree is becoming more and more popular. The main advantage of the columnar apple is its compactness, which allows you to get a full harvest of apples even in a cramped garden.
The president
Russian species of columnar apple with summer ripening. The president is over forty years old, but he does not lose its relevance and is successfully grown in the gardens and dachas of the country.
Apple trees are considered semi-dwarf, since their height rarely exceeds 200 cm. But the fruits are quite large - on average, about 180 grams. The shape of the fruit is flattened, the color is pale yellow, there is a pink-purple blush. The fruit tastes good, the rind is thin.
Maturation of the President begins at the end of August and lasts until the second half of September.
Conclusion
Only the best summer varieties of apple trees are presented here, in fact, there are dozens and hundreds of such varieties. Although early-ripening apple trees are not as popular as autumn and winter species, they are successfully grown in most of the country. A big plus of summer varieties is the early ripening of fruits, which allows you to saturate the body with fresh vitamins in the middle of summer.
A beginner gardener will be helped to determine the photo and description of each summer species.
