Spring weather has finally arrived and the apple trees at Moore Orchards are in full bloom. With over 20 years of apple farming experience under his belt, Terry Moore, of Midland, is eager to share some pointers on how to start a successful season.

Moore has been fascinated with apple orchards since the 1970s. After serving in the U.S. Army, Moore and his wife moved to Rochester, Michigan, where there were several apple orchards.

"It was like Woodstock, only everybody had their clothes on. People were eating doughnuts and eating apples, it looked like a really good thing," Moore recalled.

Upon moving to Midland, Moore began reading about Herbert H. Dow's apple orchard from Dow's own personal diary. From 1907 to 1912 Dow kept extensive notes on the varieties of apples, their blooming and ripening stages as well as harvest dates.

"I thought if Mr. Dow did it, it was a smart thing to do."

Moore began planting his own 10-acre orchard in 1984, adding on in 1991 and 1992. Today the orchard spans 22 acres with 2,500 trees and 100 varieties of apples.

When planting apple trees, Moore stressed the value of research and buying local, if possible.

"It's important to do some planning," Moore said. "Don't plant an apple tree unless you've tried the apple itself."

While a particular type of apple may look appealing on the page of a catalog and has received positive reviews, the actual fruit may not turn out well. It's also important to consider the different varieties of apples; some are ideal for eating just as they are, others are better for baking and then there are those that are multi-purpose.

Moore's favorite apples are Honeycrisp and Opalescent for eating, Twenty Ounce for baking and Empires - a cross between a McIntosh and Red Delicious - for multi-purpose.

"We call (Honeycrisps) 'money-crisp' because they sell for three times what regular apples sell for," Moore stated.

When buying the trees, Moore recommends purchasing those with larger diameter trunks. He explained how mail-ordered trees from nurseries tend to be whips, slender and without branches, while locally bought trees may take a shorter time to bear fruit. Trees with dwarf woodstock have branches that are closer to the ground, making it easier for deer to reach the apples. It's also important to know what types of apples grow well in the given climate.

"Some apples grow better here than in California, and some grow better in California than here," Moore explained.

As with real estate, planting is all about location. Trees should be planted with the graft one inch above ground level and black dirt or composted manure ought to be placed around the roots. Semi dwarf trees work better when they are planted no less than 14 apart from each other; dwarf trees require at least 10 feet of space in between.

Once in the ground, protection is of utmost importance. Moore recommends placing quarter inch wire that's one foot tall or four-inch plastic tubing around the base to deter mice; for deer, use five-foot welded wire around the tree. Fungi and diseases can be deterred with proactive spraying.

A newly planted apple tree can take three to five years to produce a harvest; if a sapling is planted later in the season, the longer it'll take to bear. For the first time, Moore is not planting any new trees this year, but still has a bountiful crop. The harvest typically begins in late August with Paula Reds and concludes in late October with Granny Smiths and Winesaps. For Moore, the taste of a crisp, juicy apple is worth the time and attention.

"Apples that are fresh off the tree are really spectacular."

Moore Orchards is located 1727 Sasse Road, Midland. For more information, call 989-832-3560 or 989-600-6520 or visit mooreorchards.com.