Apple Tree Bon Père - Malus domestica

Malus domestica Bon père is an old variety recognised and appreciated as a sweet and tangy cooking apple. It produces an ovate, medium to large apple that is irregular and slightly elongated with a waxy, yellow-green skin tinged with salmon pink when exposed to sunlight. Its white flesh is fine, crisp, tender, juicy, sweet and slightly acidic. The fruits ripen in October, are ready to eat upon harvest and only keep for a few weeks after picking. It is a self-sterile variety that requires the presence of other apple varieties to improve pollination. 

Malus domestica, also known as Malus communis or Malus pumila, is commonly called the Common or Domestic Apple Tree. It belongs to the Rosaceae family. Present in Europe since ancient times, it is native to the forests of Central Asia. It is very hardy and is likely the most cultivated fruit tree in Northern Europe. There are approximately 20,000 varieties, including around 10,000 of American origin, 2,000 of English origin, and 2,000 of Chinese origin. The Bon Père Apple Tree has ancient and poorly known origins. 

The Bon Père Apple Tree is a vigorous tree that quickly bears fruit and produces a regular crop. Its spreading habit, with trailing branches, can reach approximately 5m (16ft) high and 4m (13ft) wide at maturity. Its habit is well-suited to both low and high-stem forms and espaliers. Its foliage consists of large, ovate leaves that are greenish-brown on the upper side and whitish-green on the lower side with deeply toothed edges. The white flowers bloom around the beginning of April, which can make it susceptible to spring frosts. The flowers are destroyed by frost at temperatures between -2 and -3°C (28.4 and 26.6°F). It is adapted to cultivation in regions with not too late frosts. Its very abundant flowering is remarkably decorative in spring and is particularly attractive to bees and nectar-seeking insects. Despite its vigour, this variety produces poor-quality pollen, making it weakly capable of self-pollination or pollinating other apple varieties. It produces apples with few or no fertile seeds. It is said to be self-sterile, which is why the presence of apple trees that flower at the same time is necessary. Varieties such as Belle de Boskoop, Granny Smith, Reine des Reinettes, Tranparente de Croncels, or any other early-flowering variety are suitable for cross-pollination. Ornamental apple trees, such as Malus Perpetu Evereste and  John Downie, also flower abundantly and can be excellent pollinators. 

A juicy and sweet apple that can be consumed raw or cooked, in pies, compotes, pastries, paired with cheeses, or as an accompaniment to savoury dishes such as black pudding or pork, or in salads. It is also perfect for making excellent juice. Apples are easy to eat and rich in carbohydrates and fructose, they are invigorating, energizing, and rehydrating. Their high content of vitamins A, B, C, and E, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre makes them a healthy choice. The fruits can be stored for several weeks (until December) if picked before fully ripe and stored in a cool, dry place, protected from light, at a temperature of around 8 to 10°C (46.4 to 50°F) or in a cold room, sealed off from outside air at a temperature of 1 to 3°C (33.8 to 37.4°F).

The apple tree is very popular thanks to its fruits and fits well in the garden. Among a wide range of apple trees, it is easy to find the variety that best suits one's desires.