ALBANY (AP) -- Federal agriculture statistics show the number of apple trees in New York grew by 22 percent from 2006 to 2011.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there were 11.6 million trees last year, compared to 9.46 million five years earlier.
The agency says the acreage under cultivation dropped by 2 percent, but farmers are increasing the number of trees they grow per acre.
It says the greatest increase has been in Honey Crisp trees, which more than doubled in number. Also popular with growers were Empire, McIntosh, Gala, Jonagold and Zestar.
Niagara County showed the greatest increase in acreage at 25 percent. Acreage in Columbia County dropped 14 percent and Orange County saw a 23 percent decline.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
