Warner's King Apple Malus domestica 'Warner's King' (C)
ABOUT
The Warner's King apple tree, as it is commonly known, is a cultivar renowned for its fruit production. This variety produces apples that are noticeably large and have a flat-round shape. The skin of these apples is thick and tough, protecting the white to cream-colored flesh inside. The flesh of the Warner's King apple is known for its juiciness and a sharp, acidic taste that mellows with storage, making it suitable for cooking and cider making. The skin of the apple is typically green with shades that can range to a greenish-yellow, often with flushes or stripes of red when exposed to sun. Due to this variegation, the fruit can have quite a striking appearance. The leaves of the tree are a bright green, with a typical oval shape and serrated edges, which turn to shades of yellow and gold in the fall. When in blossom, the apple tree is adorned with clusters of white to pale pink flowers, providing a splash of color in the spring and offering a fragrant attraction for pollinators. These blossoms give way to the large apples that are the signature of this cultivar. The branches of the tree stretch out, forming a rounded and spreading canopy dense with leaves and fruit. Overall, the Warner's King apple tree presents an appealing aesthetic throughout the growing season, from the blossoming of flowers to the ripening of fruit, and into the autumn with its foliage display.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Warner's King Apple
Common names
Malus domestica 'Warner's King'
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
12-15 feet (3.7-4.6 meters)
Spread
12-15 feet (3.7-4.6 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Fruit Production: Produces apples that can be used for eating fresh or for cooking, offering a source of vitamins and dietary fiber.
- Shade Provider: The tree canopy offers shade in landscapes and gardens, which can help reduce cooling costs and provide shelter for outdoor activities.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The blossoming of apple trees in spring adds decorative value to the landscape with their attractive flowers.
- Pollinator Attraction: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators, which are vital for garden health and for pollinating other plants.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides a habitat and food source for various birds and mammals, contributing to biodiversity.
- Cultural and Historical Significance: Apple trees have been cultivated for thousands of years and are often associated with cultural traditions and folklore.
- Educational Opportunities: Gardening with apple trees can serve as an educational tool for teaching about horticulture, biology, and the environment.
- Habitat for Beneficial Insects: Supports populations of beneficial insects that can aid in the control of pests.
- Carbon Sequestration: Like all trees, apple trees help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases.
- Soil Improvement: The decomposition of fallen leaves and organic matter from the tree contribute to soil health and fertility.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Woodworking: The wood of the apple tree can be used for small woodworking projects such as crafting utensils, custom carvings, or as smoking wood to infuse flavor into barbecued foods.
- Natural Dyes: The bark and leaves can be used to make natural dyes for textiles, offering a range of tans and browns depending on the mordant used.
- Apple Seed Oil: Oil extracted from apple seeds can be used in cosmetics for its hydrating properties, although it is not commonly found in commercial products.
- Fruit Pectin: The high pectin content in apples can be extracted and used as a natural thickening agent for jams, jellies, and sauces.
- Leather Conditioning: Apple cider vinegar, which can be made from the apples, is often used in homemade leather cleaning and conditioning solutions.
- Gardening: The tree itself can act as a pollinator for other apple varieties since apple trees often require cross-pollination to bear fruit.
- Education: Apple trees can be used in schools for educational purposes, teaching children about the life cycle of plants, botany, and the importance of pollinators.
- Animal Feed: Fallen apples or those deemed unsuitable for human consumption can be used as feed for pigs, horses, and other farm animals.
- Photography & Art: The apple tree, with its distinct blossoms, fruit, and changing leaves, offers diverse and picturesque scenes for photographers and artists.
- Eco-friendly Insect Trap: Apple cider vinegar made from the apples can be used to create natural insect traps for fruit flies in the home or greenhouse.
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- Knowledge - As an apple cultivar, Malus domestica 'Warner's King' shares the common symbolism associated with apples in historical and mythological contexts, such as the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge in the Christian tradition.
- Temptation - Apples have often represented temptation, hearkening back to the story of Adam and Eve, where the apple symbolizes the forbidden fruit.
- Fertility and Abundance - Since apple trees are known for their abundant fruit and flowers, they are often associated with fertility, productivity, and prosperity.
- Love and Affection - In many cultures, apples are given as tokens of affection and love, symbolizing the giver's wishes for the recipient's happiness and health.
WaterThe Warner's King apple tree should be watered regularly, especially during the first few years to establish a strong root system. Water the tree deeply once a week, providing about 5 gallons of water each time, to encourage deep root growth. During hot, dry spells or in sandy soils, increase watering to twice per week. Reduce the frequency to every 10 days or two weeks for mature trees. Always check the soil moisture before watering; the ground should be moist but not waterlogged.
LightApple trees, including the Warner's King, require full sun to produce the best fruit. This means they need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Planting the tree in a location that receives unobstructed sunlight will ensure it has the energy necessary for healthy growth and fruit production. Avoid spots that are shaded by buildings or taller trees.
TemperatureThe Warner's King apple tree thrives in a range of temperatures but prefers moderate conditions. It can tolerate winter temperatures as low as -20°F once established, and during the growing season, it benefits most from temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. These apple trees require a certain number of chill hours, typically between 800 and 1000 hours below 45°F, to break dormancy and produce fruit.
PruningPruning the Warner's King apple tree is essential to maintain its shape, remove dead or diseased wood, and encourage better air circulation and sunlight penetration for fruit production. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Thin out crowded branches and cut back shoots that have grown the previous year by about one-third. For mature trees, annual pruning may involve removing larger branches to rejuvenate the tree.
CleaningAs needed
SoilApple trees like 'Warner's King' require well-draining, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix of garden soil, compost, and aged manure works best to provide the nutrients needed for healthy growth.
RepottingApple trees like 'Warner's King' are not typically repotted as they are grown in the ground. If grown in containers, repotting should be done every 3 to 5 years or when the tree becomes root-bound.
Humidity & Misting'Warner's King' apple trees thrive in average outdoor humidity levels. They do not require specific humidity conditions indoors as they are outdoor plants.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Growing 'Warner's King' apples indoors is not advised; they need outdoor conditions.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil; water and fertilize regularly.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of Malus domestica 'Warner's King', commonly known as Warner's King apple, begins with seed germination, which requires stratification to break dormancy. Upon germination, the seedling grows through a juvenile phase, developing a root system and foliage over several years until it matures. The tree then enters the flowering stage, producing blossoms that are typically pollinated by bees. After successful pollination, the flowers develop into fruit, with the Warner's King apples reaching maturity in the late summer to early autumn. The apples are harvested when ripe, and the tree enters a period of dormancy during the winter months. Each year the cycle repeats, with the tree producing new blossoms in the spring, thus continuing its perennial life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Late winter-early spring
The most popular method of propagating the apple tree 'Warner's King' is through grafting, specifically, whip and tongue grafting. This technique is usually undertaken in late winter or early spring when the tree is still dormant. A healthy scion, which is a cutting from a mature tree of the Warner's King variety, is prepared with a slanted cut. Similarly, a cut is made into the rootstock, which is a tree with a strong root system but inferior fruit quality. The two cuts are made to fit together perfectly, creating a 'tongue' and 'groove' joint that holds the scion and rootstock together. This union is then wrapped with grafting tape to ensure that it stays in place. Over time, the scion and rootstock grow together, eventually forming a new Warner's King apple tree capable of producing the desired fruit.
