Select a sunny spot with well-draining soil for your apple trees. Dig holes twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball of each sapling, spacing them 15-20 feet apart.

Mix compost or aged manure into the excavated soil to enrich it, then gently place each sapling in its hole, ensuring the graft union is 2-3 inches above ground level.

Backfill the holes with the amended soil, lightly tamping to remove air pockets, and immediately water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.

Stake each tree to provide support against wind, ensuring the ties are loose enough to prevent girdling, and apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of each tree, keeping it away from the trunk.

Water the trees deeply once a week, especially during dry periods, and fertilize in the spring with a balanced NPK fertilizer according to package instructions.

Prune any broken, diseased, or crossing branches in late winter to early spring to promote healthy growth and air circulation.