Imperial Red Delicious Apple

The many strains of popular apple varieties are naturally occurring mutations that have been selected, for the most part, by growers who discovered them in their orchards. It is noted that the coloring pattern is either ‘striped’ or ‘blush’ and the growth habit of the tree is either ‘non-spur’ or ‘spur.’ The term ‘spur’ applies to strains with a higher number of fruit buds (spurs) per length of branch. Many commercial growers prefer spur types for several reasons. They are easier to trim, and they generally produce comparatively more fruit than non-spur trees of a similar size. Additionally, the spur-type growth habit usually produces a smaller tree.