The Apple Specialist Behind the Harvest

There’s no better way to begin the day than by strolling through a picturesque apple orchard on a crisp, sunny morning with Dave Gleason. Dave is a renowned horticulturist with the Superfresh Growers Association, as well as a mentor and consultant to many when it comes to growing apples.

For Dave, apple orchards have been an essential part of his life from the very beginning. As early as six months old, he was placed in an apple crate under a tree while his parents picked apples. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, Dave now works as a consultant. “I’m working with outside growers, looking at what they are growing and how they can maximize it, and then helping them make decisions in any way that can be of help,” explained Dave.

Our Washington Grown team had the opportunity to tour an orchard of Cosmic Crisp apple trees with Dave. He shared that when trees are planted, it can take three to five years before they begin producing apples. This particular orchard block was in its first bloom stage, marked by stunning King Blooms just beginning to open. On this early, crisp morning, Dave reflected on the start of the apple-growing season. “It’s a little chilly in the orchard right now, and there are bees that will become busy in the next hour or so. A tree in the spring, before it starts doing anything, looks dead. It’s pretty amazing how they come alive again, and one of the first things they do is flower, and that’s the beginning of the apple,” explained Dave.

So what makes an apple? Dave schooled us on the process. “There are male and female parts inside the flower. At the center are ovaries, and you can see eggs and actually seeds that become the core of the fruit,“ Dave said. “Most apple varieties are not self-fruitful, so while there’s pollen and male and female parts, the male parts won’t pollenize in that individual variety. So, we’ve actually planted other types of apples inside the block to have a diversity of pollen.” Dave continued, “And then we need the insects, the bees in particular, to move that pollen from flower to flower so the apple begins to develop.”

There are between three and five flowers in a single bud, and each of those flowers has the potential to become an apple. Dave added, “There’s one flower in the center that’s the first one to bloom and it’s head and shoulders above the others, and that’s the King Bloom. Generally, in most varieties, that would be the best apple.”

One of the key factors behind Washington’s success in apple production is its climate.

“Washington has a wonderful climate; it’s a very special place in that regard, growing some of the best apples, and probably THE best apples in the world,” touted Dave.

We think Dave has it right. According to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, apples are the number one commodity in Washington State, with production totaling $1.991 billion in 2023 and accounting for 68% of U.S. apple production. In addition, apples are a top export to Mexico, Canada and Vietnam. The world loves Washington State apples, and so do we!