Apple tree Liberty

Apple trees are grown in almost all summer cottages, as they give tasty and healthy fruits. For most gardeners, the main thing when choosing an apple variety is a high yield rate and resistance to fungal diseases. One of these is an American variety called Liberty.

The Liberty apple tree is the result of long-term work by American breeders who, by crossing several species such as Welsey, Macintosh, Rum Beauty and Mecaun, have developed a completely new variety. Thanks to a complex crossing pattern, it turned out to be very resistant to diseases and weather disasters.

The tree of the Liberty variety reaches a height of 4-4.5 meters, endowed with a moderately dense rounded crown. In the first few years, the tree is in a phase of active growth, which slows down from the moment of good fruiting. The tree is compact, so it can grow in a small area in the garden.

Each apple variety has its own characteristics, and Liberty is no exception. Among the main advantages of the variety are: excellent yield, which only increases with the years, winter hardiness, immunity to various kinds of diseases and pests, high taste.

The disadvantages of the American variety include the average keeping quality (on average up to 100 days), as well as the need for pollinating trees.

The tree blooms in April-May, when all possible frosts are already behind. The tree blooms with white-pink large flowers that emit a rich aroma. The apple tree begins to bear fruit from the third year of growth, but the first harvest is not very plentiful, but it increases over the years. The type of fruiting in the variety is combined, that is, the ovaries are formed on both spears and ringlets. You can taste the first apples from the end of August, but most often from mid-September - it all depends on the climate in the growing region.

Due to its good frost resistance and quick adaptation to soils, the Liberty apple tree can grow and bear fruit in completely different regions. Mass cultivation of the variety is observed in Ukraine (southeastern part), in regions with a temperate climate in our country, as well as in Belarus.

The yield of the variety is very high. The tree begins to bear fruit from 3-4 years. The first harvest is not very high - up to 12-13 kg per tree per season. A seven-year-old tree will already give a higher yield - up to 40-45 kg, and a ten-year-old apple tree will give fruits over 100 kg.

The fruit is dark red in color with barely noticeable yellowness and is characterized by a conical, slightly flattened shape. The mass of an average apple is about 135-140 grams. The taste of the fruit is slightly acidic, crunchy, and the aroma is rich. The juiciness of apples is high, therefore, juice is often made from fresh fruits.

It is recommended to plant Liberty seedlings in an area where apple trees have not previously grown, since pests and fungi that attack trees may remain in the soil. The landing site should be well lit by the sun, at least 6 hours a day, be protected from drafts and strong winds, and also be away from the flow and stagnation of groundwater. The ideal soil will be a loamy or sandy loamy look, the main thing is that the soil breathes and is fertile. Before planting seedlings, the site is carefully prepared - it is dug up, cleared of weeds, fluffed, fertilized and moderately moistened.

It is better to plant a tree in April, when the soil is warm enough, or at the beginning of October (the temperature is not lower than +10 degrees), so that the root system of the seedling has time to adapt and take root before frost.

This species is not self-fertile, so the apple tree will need donor trees. These should be species that bloom at the same time as the Liberty apple tree. Florina, Golden Delicious, Gloucester, Idared are considered ideal pollinators.

It is necessary to feed the tree according to a certain schedule - in early spring before flowering, in late autumn at the end of fruiting, as well as in the summer for green mass.

Despite its good winter hardiness, the tree requires preparation for frost. To do this, it is necessary to mulch the near-stem zone using protective materials that slowly decompose (straw, sawdust), as well as whitewashing the trunk. In regions with severe winters, mulching should be carried out using gravel, which will perfectly protect the roots.

Liberty has absolute resistance at the genetic level to diseases such as scab. Sometimes the tree is exposed to a disease such as powdery mildew, so preventive spraying is required.Spraying is carried out several times a year - before budding and flowering, as well as before winter. It is strictly forbidden to spray during the ripening and fruiting period.

In addition, the cultivar has a low susceptibility to apple rust and moniliosis.

Based on the reviews, it can be argued that the winter view of the Liberty apple tree is a versatile variety with excellent taste, which is well stored and transported. With proper care, the apple tree gives a high yield, practically does not get sick, does not be capricious, which is especially important when a beginner is engaged in cultivation.