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Apple

Malus domestica | Family: Rosaceae

submission: Chrissy McIntire

Identification:

Leaves—

light green and medium-sized

Twigs—

not too thin and dark brown

Flowers—

a lot of pink petals

Fruit—

Apples

Bark—

dark brown

Hover over one of the descriptions to see an example.

picture of leaves picture of bark picture of twigs picture of fruit picture of flowers

 

Natural History:

Lifespan—

Most apple trees live up to 45 years and can produce fruit up to 40 years.

General Description—

One of the first fruits domesticated by humans in ancient times and it used to have over 10,000 different varieties of apples. Eventually, it was traded along the silk road and within the United States, Johnny Appleseed made growing apple trees widespread and popular.

Natural distribution and habitat—

Central Asia including Kazakhstan, then it eventually spread to America.

Conservation status—

overexpansion of agriculture and development has led to the reduction of apple trees in Central Asia, so conservation programs have been put in place to replant more apple seeds as a way to replenish the apple trees.

Uses—

the apple fruit is used by humans to make a variety of recipes and liquids, also used for home planting and replanting in old parks; the wood of the truth is also used for carving and fuel.

References:

  1. “Apple Tree.” Nps.gov, U.S. Department of the Interior, 26 Feb. 2015, www.nps.gov/shen/learn/nature/apple_tree.htm
  2. Zander, Andrea M. “Fruit Tree Life Expectancy.” Hunker.com, Hunker, https://www.hunker.com/12272347/fruit-tree-life-expectancy
  3. “Common Apple.” Canadiantreetours.org, Canadian Tree Tours, http://canadiantreetours.org/species-pages/Common_apple.html
  4. “Niedzwetsky's Apple.” Globaltrees.org, Global Trees Campaign, http://globaltrees.org/threatened-trees/trees/niedzwetsky-apple/

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