About this tree
Malus domestica, the apple tree, is a deciduous tree in the rose family (Rosaceae) and one of the most widely cultivated fruit trees in the world. Apples likely originated in central Asia, with wild ancestors such as Malus sieversii, and were spread globally by humans over millennia. The tree typically grows 4–12 m tall with a broad, rounded crown, simple serrated leaves, and white to pink flowers in spring that attract pollinators. Its fruit, the apple, comes in countless cultivars varying in size, colour, and flavour. Apples can be eaten fresh, but are also frequently cooked, dried, and juiced. The juice is sometimes fermented into cider or vinegar. Apples hold major cultural and symbolic roles in many societies, featuring in mythology, religion, and art, and are central to cuisines worldwide. Apple trees prefer well-drained soils, benefit from cross-pollination, and are susceptible to diseases like apple scab. Human cultivation has led to thousands of named varieties optimized for taste, storage, and various uses. Those at the Klostergut are hard to identify, suggesting that they could be an old local variety.