Privacy Policy

Last Updated: August 26, 2026

AppleTreeGuide (“AppleTreeGuide,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates https://appletreeguide.com (the “Website”).

We respect your privacy and are committed to explaining how information may be collected, used, disclosed, and protected when you visit or interact with our Website.

This Privacy Policy describes our current privacy practices.

1. Information We Collect

Depending on how you use the Website, we may collect information that you voluntarily provide and certain technical information generated when you visit the Website.

Information You Provide Directly

You may voluntarily provide personal information when you:

  • Submit a comment;
  • Contact us through our contact form;
  • Subscribe to our newsletter;
  • Communicate with us by email; or
  • Otherwise voluntarily submit information through the Website.

Depending on the interaction, this information may include your name, email address, message, website address, or other information you choose to provide.

Please do not submit sensitive personal information through our contact forms, comments, or newsletter forms unless specifically requested.

2. Comments

AppleTreeGuide allows comments on certain posts.

When you submit a comment, information associated with your comment may be stored by our WordPress website and may include the information you choose to provide, such as your name, email address, website address, comment content, IP address, and browser or technical information, depending on our WordPress and plugin configuration.

Comments are public. Information that you voluntarily include in a comment may be visible to other Website visitors.

Please do not include private, sensitive, or confidential information in a public comment.

3. Contact Forms

Our contact forms are powered by WPForms.

When you submit a contact form, we may collect the information you enter, such as your name, email address, and message, together with information necessary to process and protect the submission.

Depending on our WPForms configuration, form submissions may be stored in the WordPress database and/or delivered to the Website operator by email.

WPForms documentation indicates that form-entry data can be stored on the website where WPForms is installed, depending on the site’s configuration.

We use information submitted through our contact form to respond to inquiries, communicate with you, maintain the Website, and address legitimate administrative or security needs.

4. Newsletter

AppleTreeGuide offers an optional newsletter subscription.

Our newsletter is managed using MailPoet. When you subscribe, we may collect and store information such as your email address and, if requested by the subscription form, your name.

We use newsletter subscriber information to send gardening updates, apple tree-care information, new articles, and other communications related to AppleTreeGuide.

You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time by using the unsubscribe mechanism included in our emails.

MailPoet’s data practices depend on whether its plugin and/or MailPoet Sending Service is being used. We will configure this Privacy Policy and our service disclosures to reflect the services actually enabled on AppleTreeGuide.

We do not sell newsletter subscriber lists.

5. Google Analytics

AppleTreeGuide uses Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the Website and to measure website traffic and performance.

Google Analytics may collect information such as:

  • Approximate geographic information;
  • Browser and device information;
  • Session information;
  • Interactions with pages and content;
  • Website usage statistics; and
  • Certain identifiers associated with website visits.

Google states that Google Analytics’ default implementation can collect user counts, session statistics, approximate geolocation, browser/device information, and certain website interaction information.

Google Analytics commonly uses first-party cookies, including _ga and related Analytics cookies, to distinguish users and maintain session information.

Google requires websites using Google Analytics to disclose its use and explain how Analytics collects and processes data.

We use Analytics for purposes such as understanding website traffic, improving content, identifying technical or usability issues, and evaluating overall Website performance.

We will not intentionally use Google Analytics to collect information that we know to be sensitive personal information unless such collection is specifically permitted and appropriately configured.

6. Cookies and Similar Technologies

AppleTreeGuide uses, or may use, cookies and similar technologies.

Cookies may be used for purposes including:

  • Essential WordPress functionality;
  • Security;
  • Website functionality;
  • Remembering preferences;
  • Analytics and measurement; and
  • Other functions provided by installed plugins or services.

Google Analytics may use first-party cookies for analytics purposes.

The exact cookies used by AppleTreeGuide may change as WordPress, plugins, analytics tools, and other services are added, removed, or updated.

We do not currently publish a detailed cookie table because cookie names, providers, purposes, and retention periods must first be verified against the actual configuration of the live Website.

You can generally control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Blocking certain cookies may affect Website functionality.

Where required by applicable law, we will provide appropriate consent and privacy controls for cookies and similar technologies.

7. How We Use Information

We may use information collected through the Website to:

  • Operate and maintain AppleTreeGuide;
  • Respond to questions and requests;
  • Publish and manage comments;
  • Send requested newsletters and communications;
  • Improve our articles, content, and Website;
  • Understand Website traffic and usage;
  • Maintain security and prevent abuse;
  • Detect and address technical problems;
  • Comply with legal obligations; and
  • Protect our rights and legitimate interests.

We do not sell personal information collected through ordinary Website interactions.

8. Legal Bases for Processing

Where applicable privacy laws require a legal basis for processing personal information, the basis may include:

  • Your consent;
  • Performance of a request or service you initiate;
  • Our legitimate interests in operating, securing, improving, and communicating about the Website;
  • Compliance with legal obligations; or
  • Other lawful bases available under applicable law.

Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw consent where applicable.

9. How We Share Information

We may share information with service providers that help us operate AppleTreeGuide, including providers of:

  • Website hosting and WordPress functionality;
  • Analytics;
  • Contact forms;
  • Newsletter and email delivery;
  • Website security;
  • Technical services; and
  • Other services necessary to operate the Website.

These providers may process information on our behalf and according to their own privacy policies and contractual obligations.

We may also disclose information when reasonably necessary to:

  • Comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or government request;
  • Protect the rights, property, or safety of AppleTreeGuide, its publisher, visitors, or others;
  • Detect, prevent, or investigate fraud, abuse, security incidents, or other unlawful activity; or
  • Protect or enforce our legal rights.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to provide requested services, to maintain appropriate business and technical records, to resolve disputes, to comply with legal obligations, or for other legitimate purposes.

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and the reason it was collected.

For example:

  • Newsletter information may be retained while you remain subscribed or until deletion is otherwise requested or required;
  • Contact-form information may be retained as reasonably necessary to respond to and document communications;
  • Public comments may remain published unless removed by us or where removal is otherwise appropriate; and
  • Analytics information is retained according to the settings applicable to our Google Analytics property.

We do not claim a specific retention period for every category of data where the applicable retention period depends on our current technical configuration.

11. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live and the laws that apply to you, you may have rights concerning your personal information.

These rights may include, where applicable:

  • Requesting access to personal information we hold about you;
  • Requesting correction of inaccurate information;
  • Requesting deletion of personal information;
  • Requesting restriction of certain processing;
  • Objecting to certain processing;
  • Withdrawing consent where processing is based on consent;
  • Requesting portability of certain information; and
  • Exercising other rights provided by applicable privacy laws.

To make a privacy request, contact us at:

contact@appletreeguide.com

We may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.

Your rights may be subject to legal exceptions and limitations.

12. Newsletter Unsubscribe

You may unsubscribe from AppleTreeGuide newsletter communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link provided in the newsletter.

Unsubscribing from marketing communications does not necessarily delete information that we are required or permitted to retain for other legitimate purposes.

13. Children’s Privacy

AppleTreeGuide is intended for a general audience and is not directed specifically at children.

We do not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children under 13.

If you believe that a child under 13 has provided personal information to us, please contact us at contact@appletreeguide.com so that we can review the situation and take appropriate action.

14. Data Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.

However, no method of transmission or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

15. Third-Party Websites and Services

AppleTreeGuide may link to third-party websites and services.

Third-party websites operate under their own privacy policies and terms. We are not responsible for their privacy practices, security, content, or data handling.

You should review the privacy policies of third-party services before providing them with personal information.

16. United States Privacy

AppleTreeGuide is primarily intended for readers in the United States.

Privacy rights vary by state. Where applicable state privacy laws provide rights to Website visitors, AppleTreeGuide will handle valid requests in accordance with applicable law.

If you believe a privacy right applies to you and would like to exercise it, contact us at contact@appletreeguide.com.

17. International Visitors

Although our primary audience is in the United States, the Website may be accessible from other countries.

If you access AppleTreeGuide from outside the United States, your information may be processed in countries where we or our service providers operate.

Where required by applicable law, we will provide appropriate privacy rights and safeguards.

18. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our Website, technology, services, legal requirements, or privacy practices.

When we make changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the beginning of this Privacy Policy.

19. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to make a privacy-related request, contact:

Owen Mercer
AppleTreeGuide
Email: contact@appletreeguide.com

Website: https://appletreeguide.com