For the fruit tree experts, can apples be grown in the Chiang Mai area?

[scorecard]

My Thai son wants to add another fruit tree to his yard and the family voted for an apple tree.

Is it possible in the CM climate? If so, can anybody suggest a specific variety of apple, hopefully sweet and juicy.

Thanks.

[Threefingeredpete]

Just plant one and try, if it grows it grows, if it dies plant a different tree.

[fruitman]

I also heard that it's possible.

 

Bring a grafted appletree from abroad and plant it.

[drtreelove]

Growing an apple tree is one thing, but getting fruit to set is another, and is dependent on compatible climate. It's also one of the more complicated trees for management of pest and disease issues. Table apples (Malus domestica, not referring to tropical fruits called apple or custard apple) produce better in temperate climates. Check at Kamtieng plant market, there are fruit tree specialist shops there which may have varieties that produce with local climate, but I doubt it. I think you will be disappointed.  Why not grow tropical fruits? you are in the tropics; there are so many awesome treasures available. What about 'custard apple'? noi na? -melt in your mouth heaven of texture and flavor!   IslandGuy or Soidog2 or others, do you have western apple trees in your fruit tree collections?

[fruitman]

I agree with dr treelove, there's so much more tropical fruit on the world which can be grown in Chiang mai.

 

Try the green sapote for example, or just search a bit. Apples are boring, good rose-apples even taste better.

 

Also i always see apples for sale in BKK, even on local markets. They are not the best apples though but also not bad.

 

I have pluot tree's who might do well in Chiang mai, i'm trying to make them fruit in BKK though.

 

If you read about growing apples there'll be info on the web from farmers saying that growing apples won't work. Those guys want ALL appletree's to fruit at the same time or it's useless to them.

As a backyard grower it's an advantage if the tree's don't all fruit at the same time. So don't believe everything you read on the web. Much info found is not applicable for your situation.