Queen Cox Apple Malus domestica 'Queen Cox' (D)
ABOUT
The Malus domestica 'Queen Cox', commonly known as the 'Queen Cox' apple tree, is a cultivar renowned for its attractive appearance. The plant is characterized by a robust branching structure that supports a wealth of foliage and fruit. The leaves are typically a vibrant green color with a glossy finish, presenting an oval shape with finely serrated edges. Throughout the blooming season, the tree showcases a stunning display of flowers. The blossoms are predominantly pink when in bud, transitioning to a white or faintly pink hue when fully opened. These blossoms not only add a decorative quality to the plant but also attract pollinators. As the season progresses, the flowers give way to the tree's most prized feature: the apples. The apples themselves are visually appealing, with a skin that can be predominantly red, often with streaks or flushes of yellow and green undertones. The flesh inside is typically cream or white and is known for being both juicy and aromatic with a balance of sweetness and acidity that is highly sought after. The texture of the apples is firm and crisp, making them a favorite for fresh consumption as well as for cooking and baking. The overall appearance of the 'Queen Cox' apple tree, with its combination of lush foliage, attractive blooms, and colorful fruit, makes it not only a valuable fruit-bearing plant but also a visually pleasing addition to any garden or orchard setting where it is grown.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
Queen Cox Apple, Cox's Orange Pippin.
Common names
Malus domestica 'Queen Cox'
ToxicityTo humans
Apple trees, including the 'Queen Cox' cultivar, are generally not toxic to humans when it comes to their fruit. The apple, when ripe, is safe for human consumption. However, the seeds inside the apple do contain amygdalin, a substance that can release cyanide when digested. Ingesting small amounts of apple seeds is typically not harmful because the human body can detoxify small amounts of cyanide, but consuming a large number of crushed seeds could potentially lead to cyanide poisoning. The symptoms of cyanide poisoning include headache, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, vomiting, and can potentially be life-threatening if large quantities are consumed.
To pets
In the case of pets, apple trees, such as the 'Queen Cox' variety, are also considered to be non-toxic for the most part. The ripe fruit is safe for pets like dogs and cats to eat in moderation. However, similar to humans, the seeds contain amygdalin, which can cause cyanide poisoning if consumed in large quantities. The symptoms of cyanide poisoning in pets can include dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock, and in severe cases, can be fatal. It is advised to remove the seeds and core before offering apple slices to your pets as a treat.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Spread
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5-8
Native area
Caucasus Central Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Edible Fruit: The Queen Cox apple tree produces apples that can be eaten fresh or used in cooking and baking.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its attractive flowers in spring and its fruit-bearing branches, it adds beauty to any garden or landscape.
- Pollination Partner: It can serve as a pollination partner for other apple varieties that require cross-pollination.
- Habitat for Wildlife: The tree provides habitat and food sources for various birds and beneficial insects.
- Local Food Production: Growing your own apples can reduce reliance on store-bought fruit and contribute to local food sustainability.
- Shade and Shelter: Once mature, it can provide shade in the garden and shelter from the wind.
- Educational Tool: It can be used as an educational tool for teaching about botany, horticulture, and the life cycle of plants.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Wood Crafting: The wood from the apple tree can be used for small woodworking projects such as crafting utensils, bowls, or decorative items because it is hard and has an attractive grain.
- Natural Dye: The leaves and bark of the apple tree can be boiled to produce a natural dye for fabrics or yarns.
- Wildlife Shelter: Old and hollow apple trees can provide essential habitats and nesting sites for various wildlife, including birds and small mammals.
- Smoking Food: Applewood is a popular choice for smoking meats and cheeses due to its sweet, fruity smoke flavor.
- Grafting Stock: The rootstock of apple trees, including 'Queen Cox', can be used as a base onto which other apple varieties are grafted.
- Photography Prop: The vibrant blossoms and fruit of the apple tree often serve as a beautiful prop or background in outdoor photography.
- Education and Research: Apple trees can be used for educational purposes in schools and research on fruit tree cultivation and genetics.
- Eco-Friendly Confetti: Dried apple leaves or biodegradable pieces of apple skin can be used as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional confetti.
- Instrument Making: Occasionally, the wood may be used in the crafting of musical instruments like recorders or wood blocks because of its density and fine grain.
- Children’s Crafts: With adult supervision, the apple's firm flesh can be carved to create stamps for children’s art projects.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Apple Tree is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Apple Tree is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love and Affection: The apple, a common symbol for love and affection in various cultures, represents feelings of fondness and care.
- Knowledge and Wisdom: Often associated with the story of Adam and Eve, the apple symbolizes the pursuit of knowledge and the wisdom gained from life experiences.
- Youthfulness and Beauty: Apples are sometimes associated with youth and beauty, perhaps due to their fresh and vibrant appearance.
- Abundance and Fertility: The prolific nature of apple trees, along with their bountiful harvest, embodies ideas of fertility and prosperity.
- Immortality and Eternal Life: In some mythologies, apples are a symbol of immortality and eternal life, often connected to gods or sacred gardens.
- Health and Well-being: The saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" ties apples to health and encourages their consumption for a healthy life.
WaterFor the Queen Cox apple tree, it's important to provide consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Water young trees weekly with about 5 gallons per week, depending on weather conditions. Mature trees may require up to 15-20 gallons every two to three weeks in dry conditions. Ensure that the water penetrates deeply into the soil to encourage root growth. Avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot.
LightQueen Cox apple trees thrive in full sunlight. They require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce the best fruit. Plant them in an area where they are not shaded by buildings or other trees for optimal growth and fruiting.
TemperatureApple trees like the Queen Cox prefer a temperate climate and can generally tolerate winter temperatures as low as -20°F. During the growing season, an ideal temperature range for these trees is between 60°F and 75°F. They require a certain number of chill hours, typically between 800 and 1000 hours below 45°F, to break dormancy and produce fruit.
PruningPrune Queen Cox apple trees during the dormant season to shape the tree, remove dead or diseased wood, and to improve air circulation. This is typically done in late winter before new growth starts. Annual pruning helps to maintain a strong tree structure and encourages better fruit production.
CleaningAs needed
SoilApple trees, including the 'Queen Cox' variety, thrive in well-draining, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Amend soil with compost and peat moss for nutrients and aeration.
RepottingYoung apple trees like 'Queen Cox' should be repotted every 2-3 years to provide fresh soil and encourage growth. Mature trees are generally not repotted.
Humidity & MistingApple trees such as 'Queen Cox' prefer moderate outdoor humidity levels; specific indoor humidity is not crucial for these outdoor plants.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Not ideal indoor; requires full sun, seasonal changes.
Outdoor
Plant in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe 'Queen Cox' apple tree, a cultivar of Malus domestica, begins its life cycle with a germination stage, where seeds sprout when exposed to the right conditions of moisture and temperature. Following germination, the seedling stage is characterized by rapid vegetative growth as the young tree establishes its root system and produces its first leaves. As the tree enters the sapling stage, it continues to expand in height and girth, eventually reaching maturity where it produces flowers, typically in spring. After pollination, usually by bees, the fertilization process leads to the development of fruit, with the 'Queen Cox' apple tree producing apples that ripen in late summer to autumn. Once the apples are harvested, the tree enters a period of dormancy throughout the winter, conserving energy for the next growing season. This cycle repeats annually, with the tree capable of living and bearing fruit for several decades under optimal conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Late winter
The most popular method of propagation for the apple tree, specifically the 'Queen Cox' variety, is through grafting. This technique is usually carried out during the dormant season, typically in late winter or early spring. In grafting, a scion, which is a young shoot or twig with the desired genetic traits, is taken from the 'Queen Cox' apple tree. The scion is then attached to a rootstock, which is the lower part of a plant that provides the root system. The two parts are carefully joined together, ensuring that the cambium layers, which are the growth tissues, touch each other. This union is then sealed with grafting tape or wax to prevent dehydration and infection. After a few weeks to months, the graft union heals, integrating the scion and rootstock into a single, functional apple tree that will produce 'Queen Cox' apples.
