Apple Trees ..for Dummies...(Sorry-long...)

[Scotty370]

I really don't know where to post this, but it's a "project" for my sons, and I.
We are avid Deer bowhunters, on our small 27a plot in S/W NY. We've been doing the Biologic/Whitetail Institute, seeding, and food plot route, with good success. Our Buck /Doe ratio has improved, along with the quality of the 'stags'. We've been fortunate to have the neighbors cooperation with our "8", or better buck harvest. Now the guys/sons, are looking to go "long-term" with a different planting strategy. We're thinking Apples!!! My Dad's old homestead had an Orchard of Northern Spys. Those "Orchards" (20-30 trees) have since gone by the wayside. If we try to re-establish apples, I need your advise. As I understand, most Apple Trees that you now buy are 'grafted stock' on other roots! I'm not trying to become a Fruit Farmer, I just want to try to redevelop the 'apple' forage! Any suggetions? Species for this area? Sources? Planting tips etc.? ~Scotty

 

[forgeblast]

I recieved the apple trees from cummings nursery and have them planted in my crep land. You want to get a variety that has the least amount of work, to get fruit. I would look at trees such as enterprise and goldrush. they are highly disease resistant and so you dont have to spray them constantly. The people at cummings are excellent to work with, answer any questions you may have and have a lot of info at their website.
Just rember to fence in apples, to keep deer and rabbits from killing them. I would use tubex tubes and then an outer fence to keep the deer off them.

 

[teg]

We bought apple trees from these guys... here's a link to information. They do use root stock... Useful Horticultural Information

 

[rd_macgregor]

One way or another, if you plant a varietal apple, it will be a clone. I think most growers nowadays plant varieties grafted to a hardy rootstock...sometimes dwarf or semidwarfing rootstock, but I'm pretty sure it is possible to clone the whole plant (roots and all) via tissue culture...maybe even from layering or sprouts/cuttings treated with growth hormone.

Sadly, there are no deer where I live, so the horses and I are the only beneficiaries of the apples on my land...virtually all are now wild/feral trees. On walks in the fall I taste apples. If they taste bad/bitter, I either mark the trees for destruction or, possibly, for grafting better-tasting scions onto the existing (hardy) tree. Over the years, I have managed to identify some really nice-tasting wild apples, but I'm not planning to start a grove of them!

If you want a grove of varietals, get them from a reputable nursery in your area and plan on having to protect the young trees from rabbits and deer, at the least.
BOB

 

[BruceWard]

Apple Trees are, for lack of a better term, allergic to cedar trees. So you will need to plant them as far away from cedar as you can. You also will need to put wire cages around then to keep the deer from eating off all the leaves.

 

[smstonypoint]

Apple Trees are, for lack of a better term, allergic to cedar trees. So you will need to plant them as far away from cedar as you can.

The problem is cedar-apple rust, a fungal disease for which the cedars serve as a host. Some folks recommend keeping apple trees several hundred yards from cedars.

Steve

 

[nybirdman]

Cornell University's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station
Cornell will provide you with info on trimming existing trees or what varities will work for you.
We are working on an old orchard that had been left dormant for 50 years.If we can get them produceing for the deer we will be happy.

 

[Scotty370]

Thanks for the replys! We have no Cedar on the property at all! White Pine, Red Pine, Yes!! We've also kicked around the thought of of a stand of White Oaks! Like I said "This is a "Long Term" project! I probabaly won't be around to enjoy it! But, Like I always say to my sons-----"The best time to plant a tree, is 30yrs ago, The second best time is 'Today'!!! Thanks for your input! ~Scotty