Question
Hi Mike,
 I live in Maine and I would like to have some apple trees on the lawn I have.
In order to get these trees (cheap) is it as simple as going to the grocery store and buying a ripe apple and just planting the seeds? I remember when I was small, my father would save pumking seeds, let them dry, and use them the followin year. Do apple seeds have to dry too?
How long would it take for an apple seed to sprout?
And is that something I could keep in the house over the first winter? Will it want to do dorment like other trees up here in Maine even if it is in the house?
 Thanks for any iformation you can give me.

 Dennis

Answer
Dennis, I would not recommend growing an apple tree from seed.  My reasoning is that most apple trees grown today are grafted onto stock from another tree.  The result is a hybrid that is resistant to pests and disease.  The problem you run into is that the new tree will not be a true duplicate of the parent plant.

I would recommend purchasing an inexpensive sapling from your local nursery or through a mail order company such as Stark Brothers.  

You could also take a cutting from an existing tree.  Cuttings always produce identically to the parent plant.
Simply cut a tender shoot that is at least six inches long.  Remove the lower sets of leaves.  Dip the cutting in a rooting compound. You can purchase this product at any garden center. Stick the cutting one inch into a good potting mix.  Be sure to thoroughly wet the soil prior to planting.

Finally, cover the pot with a clear piece of lightweight plastic.  Place the pot in indirect sunlight on an east window seal or under fluorescent lighting.  After two weeks, check to see if the plant has rooted by slightly pulling on the stem.  If you feel resistance, remove the plastic covering and be sure to keep the soil moist.  The plant should then be treated as any other seedling.

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike