Observing the Structure Diversity of Historic Heirloom Apple Tree (<i>Malus domestica</i> Borkh.) Wood in Central Slovakia

Abstract

There is a vast diversity of historic heirloom apple varieties around the world. Apples of various colors, sizes, tastes, uses, and ripening times can be found. In Slovakia, there has recently been a rising interest to preserve these apple varieties. The life of a tree is partially influenced by the growing conditions of the environment where the tree grows. In this paper, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of four selected heirloom apple trees growing in Slovakia’s Štiavnické vrchy were observed. Studying the microscopic structure of historical heirloom apple trees wood could reveal specific cell arrangements of tissues. This could help to specify the individual varieties.

Keywords

• <i>Malus domestica</i>
• light microscopy
• historic heirloom apple
• wood structure microscopy