The ultrastructural integrity of adaxial apple leaf cuticles was studied after their isolation from subjacent leaf tissues by several widely used procedures. Cuticles isolated with pectinase and (or) cellulase appeared most similar to the control, non-isolated cuticles. Cutin-embedded microfibrils as well as the lamellar structure of the cuticles were preserved. Cuticles isolated by the zinc chloride – HCl method likewise retained the lamellar structure, but most cutin-embedded microfibrils were dissolved away with this treatment. The ammonium oxalate – oxalic acid reflux procedure for cuticle isolation appeared to yield the most unnatural cuticles. Neither the lamellae nor the cutin-embedded microfibrils were well preserved. Furthermore, the cuticle was fragmented laterally, especially near the anticlinal walls. The importance of understanding what ultrastructural alterations occur during cuticle isolation is discussed with respect to transcuticular movement studies.