The total number of apple trees in New York increased 22 percent from 9.46 million to 11.6 million, according to King Whetstone, U.S. Agriculture Department National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York Field Office director.
Acreage decreased 2 percent from 42.4 thousand in 2006 to 41.7 thousand in 2011. The number of trees per acre increased 24 percent from 223 trees per acre in 2006 to 277 trees per acre in 2011. The increase continues the trend of higher density planting methods.
Much of the increase in apple trees can be attributed to Honey Crisp, where tree numbers more than doubled since 2006. There were 754,000 Honey Crisp trees in 2011, compared to 317,000 in 2006. The number of Empire trees increased 13 percent; McIntosh trees increased 10 percent since 2006. Increases were also notable in Gala, Jonagold and Zestar.
Niagara County showed a 25 percent decrease in acreage, Columbia County showed a 14 percent decrease and Orange County showed a 23 percent decrease in acreage since 2006. Wayne County showed a 3 percent increase and Orleans County showed a 10 percent increase in acreage.