Apple trees

[KentT]

One thing to be aware of is whether the tree seedling you're buying is one grown entirely from seed (many vintage varieties are), or if it is grafted onto a different rootstock. It is the grafting of the seedling onto a different rootstock that does a couple of important things:

1. Allows you to choose how big the tree will be when it matures. They're commonly described as dwarf, semi-dwarf and standard (i.e. full) sized. But, from some nurseries you can pick the specific rootstock that the tree is grafted on, getting its unique characteristics.

2. Grafting also adds disease resistance (in addition to developing more hybrid varieties). You can graft a "traditional or heirloom" type apple on a more disease resistant rootstock and get somewhat of "the best of both worlds"....

I recommend that you research your choices a bit before ordering, because apple trees are something that you won't see the results of your decision for 5-7 years when the trees really begin bearing, and it's a bit late then to go back and change your mind. You'd have to wait another 5-7 years before any replacement trees begin bearing in earnest...

 

[DocHeb]

Chuck,
There's a double http: in your links

Corrected links:
Vintage Virginia Apples
Green Mantle Nursery

Thanks for the additional sources.

 

[Chuck52]

Sorry about that. I should have checked it before posting. BTW, a Granniwinkle apple I got from Vintage Virginia Apples last year has several apples on it this year, and one of the two crab apples, a Whitney, will also produce some fruit this year. Seem like nice healthy trees, and not much more expensive than local sources, which carry only a very limited selection.

All the apple trees I've bought from Stark Bros are also doing well. If you catch thm having a sale, which is pretty often, you can get some really good prices. I got both Granny Smith and Jonafree trees from them for (I think) about $15. Both are doing well. Of course I have to fence each tree to keep the deer off them, and I probably invest as much in the fence as the trees cost.

Chuck

 

[SPIKER]

One thing to be sure and check is the area these trees are comming from, frost/winter hardeyness ect. don't buy trees grown in FLA when you live in maine, ect.

other than that I say go for it, it is a great weay to get some relaxsation and food too. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

i HAVE ABOUT 15~20 TREES PLANTED NOW, (NOT COUNTING MY AMERICAN PLUMB AND THE NATIVE crab apples & wild apples) (sorry cap loc key)

I have just finished putting in 2 more pears, and a 3rd or 4th peach. different varrities in some cases, others they are same, I have dwarf cherries full sized ones, and dwarf apples in the johnathan & green apple varrities, and standard size in the yellow & gold varrities, all planted in a small orchards, that incumpas my misc yards. I also have planted over 200 american plumb arround the perimiter of the place. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif these are 3 year plants now planted for 3rd season, and 20 or so of them are in full bloom about 4~5' high /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif maybee a few fruits this year of of them?!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif also one of the pear trees and a peach are full bloom which were 5~7 yr grafted trees. also in ground starting 3rd growing season....

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Doc_Bob]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( One thing to be sure and check is the area these trees are comming from, frost/winter hardeyness ect. don't buy trees grown in FLA when you live in maine, ect.

other than that I say go for it, it is a great weay to get some relaxsation and food too. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

i HAVE ABOUT 15~20 TREES PLANTED NOW, (NOT COUNTING MY AMERICAN PLUMB AND THE NATIVE crab apples & wild apples) (sorry cap loc key)

I have just finished putting in 2 more pears, and a 3rd or 4th peach. different varrities in some cases, others they are same, I have dwarf cherries full sized ones, and dwarf apples in the johnathan & green apple varrities, and standard size in the yellow & gold varrities, all planted in a small orchards, that incumpas my misc yards. I also have planted over 200 american plumb arround the perimiter of the place. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif these are 3 year plants now planted for 3rd season, and 20 or so of them are in full bloom about 4~5' high /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif maybee a few fruits this year of of them?!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif also one of the pear trees and a peach are full bloom which were 5~7 yr grafted trees. also in ground starting 3rd growing season....

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif )</font>

When you palnt, do you use an auger to dig the hole? Fill it with any special soil mixture or just refil with the soil you dug up?
Bob