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Unlocking Profits and Growth in OSRS Apple Tree Seeds Guide

Ever wondered why something as simple as a tiny apple tree seed can turn into one of the most reliable money-makers in Old School RuneScape? I’ve been grinding OSRS for over a decade now, and let me tell you, apple tree seeds have been my quiet little sidekick in building up that bank. They’re not flashy like dragon bones or rare drops, but they’re steady. Like that friend who always shows up on time with coffee. If you’re dipping your toes into Farming or just looking to pad your wallet without the high risk, stick around. We’ll dive deep into everything from planting your first one to flipping them on the Grand Exchange.
Picture this: you’re scrolling through the Grand Exchange, prices flashing by, and you spot apple tree seeds sitting there at a bargain. But what are they, really? An apple tree seed is basically the starting point for growing an apple tree in the Farming skill. It’s a small item that, when handled right, sprouts into a full-blown tree that pumps out cooking apples. Those apples? They’re gold for training Cooking or even just selling back for a quick profit.
From my experience, I remember the first time I snagged a handful of these seeds during a bird nest hunt. I was level 30 Farming, fumbling around like a noob, but that one successful grow hooked me. Simple English here: you need level 27 Farming to even plant it. No shortcuts, just good old grind. And the best part? It fits right into fruit tree patches, which are scattered across Gielinor like hidden gems.
Why Bother with Apple Trees at All?
Quick question: are you tired of your inventory filling up with useless herbs or veggies that crash in price? Apple trees give you cooking apples, which stay pretty stable. I’ve used them to cook up pies during Slayer tasks, saving me trips to the bank. Plus, the experience? Solid. You get 22 XP for planting, another 8.5 per harvest, and a whopping 1199.5 for checking health. That’s not chump change when you’re pushing for 99.
But let’s keep it real. Not everyone’s a Farming whale. If you’re ironman mode, these seeds become your lifeline for self-sufficiency. I once went weeks without buying food because my apple trees kept me stocked. Feels good, right?
How to Get Your Hands on OSRS Apple Tree Seeds
Alright, let’s talk sourcing. Where do these little guys come from? You won’t find them dropping from bosses or quest rewards, but they’re out there if you know where to look.
First off, the Grand Exchange. Easy peasy, just buy them outright. Prices fluctuate, but lately they’ve been hovering around 50-100 GP each. I check daily because, trust me, undercutting by a few GP can net you stacks.
But if you’re like me and hate spending GP on basics, hunt bird nests. Woodcutting trees drops nests occasionally, and boom, seeds inside. I spent a summer chopping willows in Draynor, pulling maybe 5-10 seeds a day. Tedious? Yeah. Worth it? Absolutely, especially when you’re broke.
Other spots? Managing Miscellania. Set your workers to gather seeds, and you’ll wake up to a nice haul. Or, if you’re into Herblore Habitat on RS3 crossover vibes, jadinko hunting, but that’s niche for OSRS purists.
Here’s a quick list of top ways to farm these seeds:
- Bird Nests from Trees: Best at willows or yews. Expect 1-2% chance per nest.
- Grand Exchange Buy: Instant, but watch margins.
- Miscellania Kingdom: Passive, scales with popularity.
- Master Farmer Pickpocketing: Risky, but free seeds galore if you’re quick.
Pro tip from my runs: combine bird nest hunting with RC teleports. Saves time, keeps it fun.
A Personal Nest-Hunting Story
Oh man, this one time I decided to go all-in on bird nests. It was a rainy afternoon, controller in hand, and I plopped down at the willow trees south of the bank. Hours ticked by, nests popping up like lottery tickets. Most were empty or had rings, but then… jackpot. Three apple seeds in one nest. I yelled so loud my cat bolted. That haul funded my first fruit tree run, and I’ve never looked back. What’s your best drop story? Drop it in the comments.
Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Your Apple Tree Seed
Now, the meaty part: planting. Don’t worry, it’s not rocket science. I’ll walk you through it like I’m right there with you, spade in hand.
Start with the basics. Grab a plant pot, fill it with soil from any empty patch using a trowel. I always rake first to clear weeds, habit from early days.
Plant the seed in the pot. Boom, apple seedling. Water it with your can, and wait. About 3.5 minutes later, it’s a sapling. Inventory magic, all done without leaving your bank.
Next, head to a fruit tree patch. There are five main ones: Catherby, Tree Gnome Stronghold, Llety, Brimhaven, and the Farming Guild (if you’re 85+). Teleport smart: Catherby with a tablet, Gnome with glider.
Plant the sapling in the patch after raking. Add compost if you’re paranoid about disease. Pay the nearby farmer 9 sweetcorn to watch it, or risk the dice roll.
Growth time? Around 14 hours. Use an Amulet of Nature to track. Once mature, harvest those apples. Six per tree, easy.
Short answer to “How long does it take?”: From seed to harvest, plan for a day if you’re active.
Tools You Can’t Forget
Ever planted without a trowel and facepalmed? Me too. Here’s a table of essentials:
Item | Why You Need It | GP Cost (Approx) |
---|---|---|
Plant Pot | Holds the soil for seedling | Free (craft or buy) |
Gardening Trowel | Plants the seed in pot/patch | 125 GP |
Watering Can | Keeps it hydrated initially | 25 GP |
Spade | Digs it into the patch | 25 GP |
Sweetcorn (9) | Pays farmer to protect | 200 GP total |
Stock up at Falador Farming shop. I’ve got a whole rune pouch dedicated to this kit now.
Maximizing Profits with OSRS Apple Tree Seeds
Let’s get to the juicy bits: money. As an OSRS vet, I’ve flipped seeds and apples to fund everything from Barrows runs to house upgrades.
Buy low, sell high. Seeds crash when everyone’s planting, so stockpile during off-seasons. Apples? Cook them into pies if Cooking’s high, or raw sell for steady 300-400 GP each.
My strategy: weekly fruit tree runs. Hit all patches, harvest, bank, repeat. At 27 Farming, apples are your entry point. Scale to bananas or papayas later.
Calculate it out. One tree: 6 apples x 350 GP = 2100 GP profit minus costs (say 500 GP for protection). Do five patches? 8k+ per run. Do that twice a week, and you’re looking at 16k easy. Not max cash, but reliable.
Question for you: how much bank do you need before Farming feels worth it? For me, it was 100k. Now it’s my passive earner.
Profit Breakdown Table
Want numbers? Here’s a simple breakdown for a full run:
Patch Location | Seed Cost | Protection Cost | Harvest Value | Net Profit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Catherby | 75 GP | 200 GP | 2100 GP | 1825 GP |
Gnome Stronghold | 75 GP | 200 GP | 2100 GP | 1825 GP |
Llety | 75 GP | 200 GP | 2100 GP | 1825 GP |
Brimhaven | 75 GP | 200 GP | 2100 GP | 1825 GP |
Total | 375 GP | 800 GP | 10500 GP | 9125 GP |
Assumes current GE prices. Adjust for flips.
Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them
Listen, we’ve all been there. Planting in the wrong patch, forgetting to protect, and watching your tree wither. Heartbreaking.
Big one: ignoring protection. Without paying the farmer, disease hits hard. I lost a whole run once early on, cost me 2k in seeds. Lesson learned: always pay up.
Another? Bad timing. Don’t plant right before a long break. Use the in-game calendar or notes app.
And teleports! Skipping them turns a 10-minute run into an hour. I swear by house tabs now.
Short para: Ultra pro tip: bind your Amulet of Nature to fruit trees. Instant alerts.
Longer story time: Back in 2018, I was rushing a tree run post-update. Forgot the spade at home. Ended up sprinting to Falador mid-way, sweating like a noob in Lumbridge. Harvested just in time, but man, that panic. Now I double-check inventory every time. Saves sanity.
What mistakes have you made in Farming? Share below, we can laugh together.
Leveling Up with Apple Tree Seeds in Your Arsenal
Farming 99 is a marathon, not a sprint. Apple seeds are perfect for the 27-40 hump. Mix with herbs for variety, but trees give that big XP chunk from checks.
I’ve hit 70 Farming mostly on fruit trees. The routine: plant, check next day, harvest. Rinse, repeat. Boring? Nah, it’s zen. Podcasts on, world fades away.
At higher levels, transition to better trees, but apples stay for profit runs.
Quick Q: What’s your Farming goal? 70 for quests? 99 for clout? Either way, start here.
XP Rates Table
Rough estimates for apple-focused runs:
Activity | XP per Hour | Notes |
---|---|---|
Planting Saplings | 5k-7k | Includes prep time |
Health Checks | 10k+ | Daily routine |
Harvesting | 2k-3k | Quick, repeatable |
Full Run (5 Patches) | 15k avg | With teleports |
Stack with other skills for bonus XP.
Advanced Tricks from a Seasoned OSRS Farmer
Once you’re comfy, level up your game. Use ultracompost for zero disease. Costs more, but saves headaches.
Tick manipulation? Nah, too sweaty for casuals like me. But if you’re into it, plant on world-hopped patches.
Contracts from Guild! At 45 Farming, grab apple contracts for extra seeds and XP. I did a streak last month, pulled 20 extras.
Personal win: used apple profits to buy my first onyx. Felt like a boss.
Ever tried fruit tree runs during double XP weekends? Insane gains. Plan ahead.
Why Apple Tree Seeds Deserve a Spot in Your OSRS Toolkit
Wrapping this up, but not before saying: don’t sleep on apple tree seeds. They’re the unsung heroes of mid-game OSRS. Low entry, high reward, and that satisfying pop of harvesting apples? Chef’s kiss.
From my thousands of hours, they’ve taught me patience pays off. Whether you’re building bank or just chilling, give them a shot. Plant one today, thank me tomorrow.
What’s next for you? More Farming guides? Hit me up. Keep grinding, friends.