Do Apple Trees Lose Their Leaves In The Winter?

Each fall and into winter, apple trees lose their leaves until the following spring. In spring, the tree produces brand new leaves that will stay on the tree through the summer and into the fall.

All apple trees are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves every year. The leaves usually turn yellow or brown right after the fruit matures and fall completely off the tree by the start of winter. The trees go into a dormant stage during winter, meaning that no new growth occurs during the cold season.

To prevent pests from overwintering on the ground under your apple trees, rake up dead, fallen leaves and properly dispose of them. Removing rotting fruit lying under the tree keeps pests from using the fruit as a place to overwinter.

In mid to late March, apple trees start producing leaf buds as they come out of the dormant stage. The buds turn into new leaves that stay on the tree the rest of the summer and into fall.

Winter in mild climates where the ground does not freeze is a good time to plant apple trees. When planting the tree, you need to dig a hole that will accommodate all of the roots so they don't bend or clump together. The winter dormant season is the best time to prune apple trees. The goal of winter pruning is to shape the tree into an open shape, remove dead or dying growth and to preserve 1-year-old spurs on which the apples will grow. Chill hours include every hour when the air temperature around your apple tree is between 33 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Low-chill apples include "Anna," "Ein Shemer," "Tropical Beauty," "Beverly Hills" and "Gordon."