Apple trees tolerate a moderately wide range of temperatures and types of soil. The trees are deciduous (shed their leaves) and must have enough cold weather to provide a dormant season to promote fruit bud development. Most of the world's apples come from temperate regions having average rainfall or supplemental irrigation. A slightly lime soil increases the yield.

Trees in an orchard are planted 8 to 30 feet (2.4 to 9 m) apart, depending on the size of the tree at maturity. Orchards are usually on elevated ground so that excess water and cold air can drain off. Because cold air is heavy, it will flow downward and thereby help free the orchard from late and early frosts.

Apple trees can be propagated by seeds, but the varieties do not breed true by this method. Once a desirable variety has been discovered, it is perpetuated by grafting or budding. Apple trees first bear fruit when they are 4 to 6 years old, depending on variety, and continue to bear fruit as long as they live. Some trees have lived for more than 100 years, but most orchard trees are replaced at 30 to 40 years.

Ideally, apples are harvested just before they become fully ripe. They are usually picked by hand and packed in boxes. The apples that are not sent directly to market or a processing plant are kept in cold storage.