Apple trees (Malus domestica) are the most widely grown fruit trees in Central European gardens, and the rootstock matters as much as the variety: dwarfing stocks such as M9 give a small tree that crops within two or three years and suits a small garden, while vigorous stocks make a large, long-lived tree. Plant bare-root trees between late October and March in deep, humus-rich soil (pH 6.0–7.0) in full sun, with a stake on the windward side. Most varieties need a second apple or crab apple flowering at the same time nearby for pollination. Prune in late winter to open up the crown and remove crossing or dead wood. Scab and powdery mildew are the main diseases; resistant varieties such as 'Topaz' or 'Rubinola' reduce the need to spray. Early apples do not keep, but late varieties picked in October will store for months in a cool, humid cellar.