Commercial apple production has attracted renewed interest in Texas in recent years.  Apples can be financially rewarding, but there are also considerable risks and investments to consider.  No one should venture into commercial apple growing without a good understanding of the parameters involved.

Soil-  Well-drained, sandy loam soils with a pH below 6.5 are best.  Finer-textured loamy clay soils will suffice if they are well-drained.  A percolation test should be used to check the drainage of prospective sites.

Elevation-  An elevated slope or hilltop is best to minimize spring frost dangers.

Water-  A minimum of 5 gpm/acre of good quality irrigation water should be available.  Finer textured soils or high density orchards may require more water.

Fencing-  If deer are a problem, an electric fence will be needed.  If there is an existing fence, it can be retro-fitted with electricity.  This may run you about $250 for 1,000 ft. of electricity, or if the addition of a new fence is needed it may run anywhere around $500/1,000 ft.

SOIL

Cotton Root Rot-  An indigenous soil-borne fungus (Phymatotrichum omnivorum) that is a serious death threat to apple trees planted on alkaline soils (pH above 7).  The best option is to plant on soils with a pH below 6.5 (suitable soils are found primarily in the northern portion of the Hill Country (Gillespie, Mason, Llano, McCulloch, San Saba, and Burnet Counties).

Attempts to battle cotton root rot- by soil acidification (with sulfur or sulfuric acid) and/or soil fumigation- can be expensive (around $1,800/acre) and results have been erratic.  No apple rootstock has tolerance or resistance to cotton root rot.

Cotton root rot infests as much as 50% of alkaline Hill Country soils.  There is no reliable pre-plant test to determine if a site has cotton root rot.  Trees planted on badly infested sites usually begin to die within 1-5 years after planting.
Phytopthora Collar Rot-  can cause tree death on soils with moderate to fair water drainage.
MM 106 rootstock is particularly susceptible and should not be used on such sites.

FRUIT AND FOLIAGE

Black Rot and Bitter Rot-  these fungal fruit rots can become serious problems if control measures are not followed.  A spray program is usually necessary.

Fireblight-  this bacterial disease can be a serious problem in some areas where apples are produced, but it has not been a problem in Hill Country apple orchards.

Other diseases, including scab, flyspeck, sooty blotch and cedar apple rust are present, but have not yet become serious limitations.

Insects-  the coddling moth, a serious pest in many areas, is present, but has not become a serious pest in the Hill Country.  Other insects including stinkbugs, wooly apple aphids and flea beetles, often are abundant enough to require a spray program.

*Trellising pluses include:
1. Support for poorly anchored dwarf rootstocks.
2. Most pruning, harvesting, etc. on the more compact trees can be done from the ground.
3. Younger trees can carry a heavier fruit load.
4. Limb positioning affords optimum light to buds and minimum sunburn of fruit.
 

*Trellising minuses include:
1. High initial expense on construction.
2. More labor needed for training and pruning.

In addition to disease threats touched on in the "Disease and Insect" section, chief climatic hazards are:

*Spring freezes- apples bloom in late March to early April.  This is late enough to escape spring freeze damage in most years.  Orchards planted in low lying creek or river valleys are most at risk and these sites should expect at least a partial crop loss as often as once in 4-5 years.

*Hail- hail can seriously reduce the market value of the fruit.  Some degree of hail damage will probably occur at least once in 4 years.  Damage can vary from a reduction in the percentage of #1 fruit to a total crop loss.

Expenditures commonly necessary during the first 2 to 3 years, before the first crop is harvested, are outlined below:

Land Clearing and Leveling

Deer-proof fence-  essential.  Permanent 7-8 ft. tall mesh and barbed wire fences cost from  $3.50- 4.00/ foot (depending on site).

Irrigation System-  a low volume system (Roughly around $3.00/tree, assuming there is an existing well).

Basic Machinery-
     Tractor               Auger               Herbicide Sprayer
     Disk                   Mower             Speed Sprayer

Trees-  the numbers per acre will vary depending on the rootstock and management system.  High density trellis orchards may set at 6' x 12' (605 trees/acre) or closer.  Free standing, less dwarfing orchards may be set as far apart as 18' x 24' (101 trees/acre).

Trellis System-  needs to be considered if used.

Pesticides

Fertilizer

Labor-  easily 30% of the initial investment.  Varies greatly depending on construction and management.

Tools-  for pruning, trellis construction, etc…

Land

Interest

*Costs are extremely variable depending on tree selection, site, and management.  A general figure from $2,500/acre (with existing water well, plowed site, fencing, etc…) to $10,000/acre starting from fresh (slightly on the high end given you want the ideal set-up).

Considerations:
 

•  No production should be expected until the 3rd year after planting although trees on very dwarfing rootstocks may bear a marketable crop in the 2nd year.
•  Yields can vary tremendously by variety and by orchards.
•  Orchards on dwarfing rootstocks will commonly reach full production by year 5.  Full production in existing orchards has an average of no more than 300 bu./acre, although production can exceed 500 bu./acre in a given year.
• One bushel (bu.) of apples weighs approximately 44lbs.
•  Prices can vary tremendously according to the marketing method and situation.  Don't base your expectations on the upper end of the price range.
•  Your crop will seldom consist of more than 60% #1 fruit.  Prices for #1 fruit occasionally have been as high as $ 1.30/lb, but more commonly have been nearer $1.00/lb sold direct retail, wholesalers ranges from $.50- .75/lb.  # 2 fruit is ranging from $.35 - .50/lb.

Treco
(800) 871-5141
Fax (503) 634-2344
Woodford, Oregon
www.treco.nu/index.htm

Bob Wells
P.O. Box 606
Lindale, Texas  75771
(903) 882-3550

Womack Nursery Co.
Rt. 1 Box 80
DeLeon, Texas 76444-9631
(254) 893-6497

Stark Brothers Nurseries
P.O. Box 10
Louisiana, Missouri  63353
(800) 325-4180
www.mySEASONS.com

Cumberland Valley Nurseries, Inc.
P.O. Box 471
McMinnville, Tennessee 37111-0471
(800) 492-0022 or (931) 668-4153

C & O Nursery
P.O. Box 116
Wenatchee, WA 98807-0116
(800) 23 C and O or (509) 662-7164

Whealy, Kent, and Steve Demuth. 1993. Fruit, Berry and Nut Inventory. Decorah, Iowa: Seed Saver Publications.

Adams, William D., and Thomas R. Leroy. 1992. Growing Fruits and Nuts in the South. Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing Company.