Apple trees go through a specific cycle every year. Even when it looks like nothing is going on, the tree is preparing itself for the next year's harvest.
Budding
The life cycle of the apple tree begins in the summer. Small buds form on the tree's branches. These buds are not a part of the apples for the harvest season that year.
Dormant Season
During fall, the buds grow a fuzzy covering. This coating protects them through the winter dormant season.
Spring Leafing
In the spring, buds shed the protective coating and develop into bunches of leaves. At the centre of each cluster of leaves a small flower bud forms.
Blossoms and Fruit
The flower bud grows and blossoms in late spring. Once the blossoms are pollinated, they develop into apples.
Harvest
The apples mature and are ready for harvest in late summer to fall. By this time, buds for the next spring have already begun to grow on the branches and the cycle begins again.
