Planting apple trees

[RNeumann]

Sorry I lied. The 2’ 3/8” are $1.55 each. That’s the most expensive in that variety. I’ve purchased from this guy for years. He is retiring (after like 30-40 years or something) but I’m sure their are others in your region.

http://www.lawyernursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/LawyerNurseryFruitTreesRootstocks.pdf

You can see by the link those are 2017 prices

Looks like the price above root stock. The trees are about $20/5 or $4 each. See page 2 of the link.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Your mixing apples and oranges.

Yeah, I screwed up. I hope he got the gist though.

 

[plowhog]

Yeah, I screwed up. I hope he got the gist though.

I did, thanks. It prompted me to think of other varieties to plant for ornamental / color value. Probably won't do oranges due to freezing, but maybe mix in cherry trees?

 

[dmccarty]

There is some really good advice on this thread.

Find out if Cedar Rust or other problems are in your area and get apple trees that are resistant to these problems.

Are any of the existing trees a heirloom variety? If so you might want to graft them on to root stock to save them.

Later,
Dan

 

[plowhog]

I was wondering if grafting could work for me. I need to check into that. Here are two pix: the old apple trees and the new ones planted a few years ago. One of the new ones produced a few very large apples this year. In the "old" picture you can also see the mounds from whatever is burrowing out there.

The old apple trees need trimming. The bears always work them over in Fall and I need to go respond to that damage.

 

[Diggin It]

I can't get any kind of consensus. Some say mulch, others say no. Some say use leaves, others say use grass clippings, others say wood chips. Co-Op guy says grass, not leaves or chips. But he also says spray, spray, spray .... which I don't really want to do. I have no intention of trying for certified organic, but I don't want to buy a bunch of chemicals either.

 

[Jstpssng]

I can't get any kind of consensus. Some say mulch, others say no. Some say use leaves, others say use grass clippings, others say wood chips. Co-Op guy says grass, not leaves or chips. But he also says spray, spray, spray .... which I don't really want to do. I have no intention of trying for certified organic, but I don't want to buy a bunch of chemicals either.

There was just a thread on the topic. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/401383-does-anybody-have-apple-orchard.html

I was wondering if grafting could work for me. I need to check into that. Here are two pix: the old apple trees and the new ones planted a few years ago. One of the new ones produced a few very large apples this year. In the "old" picture you can also see the mounds from whatever is burrowing out there.

The old apple trees need trimming. The bears always work them over in Fall and I need to go respond to that damage.

View attachment 580903View attachment 580902

If you've got some older trees with apples that you really like, grafting onto new root stock might be easier than bringing the old ones back. Those in your picture would take a lot of work and time to bring back, but when I get home I will send you a link to a page on rejuvenating old trees which I have found very helpful.

 

[Jstpssng]

Here's a link Fedco Trees-renovating old apple trees to some decent directions on bringing back old trees. Actually PH, when viewed on my computer screen rather than a phone some of those trees on the left still look pretty vigorous. However it still might be easier to clone them onto some new root stock. I took on an orchard that had been neglected pretty badly; it took me 14 years to bring the trees back to where they should be.

 

[plowhog]

That is incredibly useful. Thanks for posting. There is a great deal for me to learn-- thanks to all!!

 

[plowhog]

Thank you to all for the great advice on planting apple trees. Yesterday and today, I planted five bare root apple trees, one peach tree, and one cherry tree. I used gopher cages below grade, and fencing above grade to protect them.

I think I followed most or all of the suggestions made. The only other one my local nursery recommended was to submerge and soak the roots of the bare root trees for a while before planting.

Now I have to wait until Spring and Summer to see if there will be success!!!