Apples, believed to be the world’s oldest cultivated tree, originated in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The University of Saskatchewan has been breeding apples since the 1920s, focusing on cold hardiness, fruit quality, and storage life. Since apples are self-incompatible, they require a different variety for pollination. In urban areas, nearby apple or crabapple trees often suffice, while rural growers may need a second tree or a multi-grafted tree that can self-pollinate. Apple trees typically bloom with white or pink flowers in mid to late May. Their fruit varies in size and color, ripening from late August to early October, depending on the cultivar. Prairie and northern gardeners should choose early-ripening varieties due to shorter fall seasons. Apples generally take 4 to 5 years to begin producing fruit.