If you’ve ever imagined yourself being able to pick an apple right from your very own tree in your yard or garden, it may be time to consider planting one. Yet the process may not be as straightforward as it seems, especially given the fact there are more than 7,500 types of apple trees worldwide. What’s more, it is essential to choose a variety of apple tree that is suitable for your climate, whether it be colder or more temperate. If you live in a cold climate, you might consider planting Hazen apple trees (Malus ‘Hazen’), so long as you follow some key steps for growing and maintaining them.

Originally developed in North Dakota to withstand colder climates, this type of apple tree is considered a semi-dwarf variety. In fact, Hazen apple trees grow up to 10 to 15 tall on average, which makes this fruit tree perfect for a smaller yard. As for their fruit, Hazen apple trees produce mildly sweet, dark red apples early in the season that are good for eating raw, as well as for cooking in desserts. (Some growers describe the taste of the apples as having a cider-like flavor.) While considered a hardy tree, it produces fruit relatively quickly, and the apples themselves have relatively short shelf lives.

Before planting Hazen varieties, it’s important to know the basics of how to grow and care for an apple tree. Just like other types of apple trees, you must plant a pollinating species nearby with a similar blooming timeline in order for the tree to successfully produce fruit each season. Apple trees require pollinators to help naturally transfer pollen between them to complete this process. As such, consider planting another type of apple tree within 100 feet of your Hazen apple for best results. When planting an apple tree into the ground, be sure that the hole is about twice the width of the root ball, as well as the same depth.

This cold-hardy variety grows best in USDA zones 3 to 6, and does best in part or full sun. During peak growing season, most apple trees need about an inch of water each week. Hazen apple trees may produce fruit annually after the first two to three years. Additionally, these trees are considered resistant to a common fruit tree disease known as fire blight. Another plus? Hazen apple tress don’t require regular pesticide applications that other varieties might.