Q. I heard the Israelis
established a low desert apple tree. A few orchards have been established in
the Phoenix area. I would like to learn more with the intent to purchase.
A. There are a couple of
apples suitable for the low desert developed in Israel but the quality of the
apple is typically not the best, in my opinion, unless you are a big fan of ‘Yellow
(Golden) Delicious’. Both “Anna’ and “Ein Shemer’ apples were bred in Israel as
a “low chill” apple for warm climates, not necessarily hot desert climates.
apples suitable for the low desert developed in Israel but the quality of the
apple is typically not the best, in my opinion, unless you are a big fan of ‘Yellow
(Golden) Delicious’. Both “Anna’ and “Ein Shemer’ apples were bred in Israel as
a “low chill” apple for warm climates, not necessarily hot desert climates.
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| Anna grown in Las Vegas, Nevada in the Eastern Mojave Desert |
“Low chill” refers to the chilling requirement required
by some fruit trees to flower and produce fruit the next growing season. A
chilling requirement is a specific number of hours below a threshold
temperature, usually around 45° F, so they “recognize” winter has passed.
by some fruit trees to flower and produce fruit the next growing season. A
chilling requirement is a specific number of hours below a threshold
temperature, usually around 45° F, so they “recognize” winter has passed.
Just because a fruit tree has a low chilling requirement
does not necessarily mean it produces good fruit in a hot desert climate. Hot
desert climates are not the best places for apples. It doesn’t mean necessarily
that an apple tree won’t grow but may have trouble producing fruit and decent
yields and the flavor, texture and keeping qualities may be inferior. Apple
fruit frequently sunburn in our hot summer climate and develop thick skins and
high sugars but lower acidity. These climates are more suitable for stone fruit
such as apricots and peaches.
does not necessarily mean it produces good fruit in a hot desert climate. Hot
desert climates are not the best places for apples. It doesn’t mean necessarily
that an apple tree won’t grow but may have trouble producing fruit and decent
yields and the flavor, texture and keeping qualities may be inferior. Apple
fruit frequently sunburn in our hot summer climate and develop thick skins and
high sugars but lower acidity. These climates are more suitable for stone fruit
such as apricots and peaches.
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| Immature apple in the early stages of sunburn |
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| Apple fruit with severe sunburn from lack of protection from late afternoon sun (West) |
Hot deserts without cool nights close to harvest don’t
develop a good balance of acids and sugars for flavor development. Cool nights
are important for this. A 4000 foot elevation adds cooler nights which is very
important for flavor development.
The orchards in Arizona that I know of such as those near
Wilcox, Arizona, are at a 4000 foot elevation or higher. Compare that with
Phoenix at an elevation of around 1000 feet. These higher elevations and can
handle some popular apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, Fuji, Gala and Pink Lady.
Wilcox, Arizona, are at a 4000 foot elevation or higher. Compare that with
Phoenix at an elevation of around 1000 feet. These higher elevations and can
handle some popular apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, Fuji, Gala and Pink Lady.
Some lower chill apple varieties to try in hot desert
climates include Dorsett Golden, Anna, Ein Shemer, Mutsu, Pink Lady and Sundowner.
From my experience, try but proceed with caution with Fuji, Granny Smith, Gala,
White Winter Pearmain, Winter Banana, Gordon, Yellow Bellflower and Pettingill.
All of the apples do better with protection from late afternoon sun.
climates include Dorsett Golden, Anna, Ein Shemer, Mutsu, Pink Lady and Sundowner.
From my experience, try but proceed with caution with Fuji, Granny Smith, Gala,
White Winter Pearmain, Winter Banana, Gordon, Yellow Bellflower and Pettingill.
All of the apples do better with protection from late afternoon sun.