Planting apple trees

[plowhog]

I have an apple orchard that is many decades old. Some trees have died, and some continue to produce apples but are very, very old.

I want to plant new trees to rejuvenate the orchard. My local nursery said to plant bare root trees in January. They have many "varieties" that grow in my area.

Are there any special tricks to planting apple trees? My old orchard was without any water or irrigation, but I do have water available if helpful. And are there any species of apples you prefer?

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I have an apple orchard that is many decades old. Some trees have died, and some continue to produce apples but are very, very old.

I want to plant new trees to rejuvenate the orchard. My local nursery said to plant bare root trees in January. They have many "varieties" that grow in my area.

Are there any special tricks to planting apple trees? My old orchard was without any water or irrigation, but I do have water available if helpful. And are there any species of apples you prefer?

I would definitely check with your local Agricultural Extension service; they should be very helpful in that regard. They can advise on every aspect of citrus culture; from varieties to pH requirements, fertilization, etc.

Citrus Program - Citrus Program

 

[groundcover]

And go talk with any local orchards, local info is often helpful info !

 

[oosik]

I like the tart varieties rather than the really sweet ones. Early transparent - Granny Smith - yellow delicious. However - check locally - see what does best - see which varieties need a second for good pollination. If you have pocket gophers, moles or other nasty ground dwelling critters - consider using "gopher cages".

Around here the recommendation is - no fertilizer for the first year - water well and deep.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I’ve planted a dozen apple trees. They like full sun and well drained soil. Make sure you get compatible pollinators. Each variety will pollinate certain other varieties, based on what time of year they flower - early, normal or late. You can find a pollination chart online. Then plant the trees next to their best pollinator. I have 8 different types of apple trees. I mapped it out on paper to make sure each tree had 2 pollinators next to it.

 

[ericm979]

Absolutely use gopher cages. It's depressing to plant and tend for trees only to have them killed by gophers. They'll eat all the roots.

Do you want apples for eating, cooking, cider? Different varieties are good for those different uses. We used to make hard cider every year (we do it every couple years now). We have old trees that are boring varieties like golden delicious. We use those apples as a base and then add cider varieties for flavor. We planted a bunch of trees before we knew about gopher cages and the gophers killed all but one.

Dwarf or semi dwarf trees are easier to harvest than full size but the deer (and bears if you have them) will get to the apples and leaves on the lower branches. They bear sooner than full size trees. Most apple farms in our local area use semi dwarf rootstock.

These people discover and propagate heritage fruit trees from 1800's Sierras: Buy Heirloom Gold Rush Fruit TreesFelix Gillet Institute | Dedicated to the appreciation, preservation and propagation of edible and ornamental heirloom perennials from the Sierra The trees they find have usually survived a long time on their own so if you get ones adapted to your climate (elevation) they should do well.

Peaceful Valley Supply in Grass Valley is a good source for organic and non organic garden stuff.

 

[Oldoak]

I know you are referring to planting apple trees, but as far as pollinators goes, when I planted our 3 acre apple orchard years ago, we planted a row of pollinators on the prevailing upwind side of the orchard which worked our well. Yellow Delicious apple trees will pollinate a wide variety of apple trees. I planted many different apple varieties and always planted at least 3 of the same variety.

And yes, a thorough watering is the most important thing in the first year of planting the trees. Just a little non- burning fertilizer in the bottom of the hole helps but is not absolutely necessary as is frequent watering. In the following years the proper soil PH will help tremendously in your apple production.

Forgot to add: Dig the holes deep enough and wide enough to spread the roots while planting your new trees. It is very important not to cramp the roots into a ball when planting any species of tree.

 

[newbury]

I would definitely check with your local Agricultural Extension service; they should be very helpful in that regard. They can advise on every aspect of citrus culture; from varieties to pH requirements, fertilization, etc.

Citrus Program - Citrus Program

Your mixing apples and oranges.

 

[Jstpssng]

When I helped replant an orchard years ago we harrowed the ground, went through and picked up every root then harrowed and did it again. Apparently wood from the old trees can promote disease in the new planting, or at least that was the belief at the time.

 

[RNeumann]

Skip the local retail nursery and find a wholesaler! Bare root can be shipped and if it’s an orchard they will sell to you. As an example you could probably fit 25-30 bareroot trees in a long shoebox. And probably pay a few bucks each. Vs retail which is probably north of $20 each.
......that’s my idea.....and you did ask!

 

[Jstpssng]

If you can find bare root trees for that little money, I want the name of the company. 25-30$ is the going price for bare root from all of the nurseries that I am aware of.

 

[Diggin It]

I put in a dozen of a mix of varieties, MacIntosh, Yellow Delicious, Blush and a couple of Pear trees (no partdridge). Tried to make sure they would all cross with each other. Found them on year end closeout for about 10 bucks each. I have no idea if they'll leaf out next year or not, but I don't expect fruit for at least 3 years.

 

[Deere Dude]

Bare roots for me are a way to waste a couple years. I never have any luck with them. II must be doing something wrong, for sure. Give me a couple gallon pot any day.

 

[gimmodog]

The Rural King here always has a nice assortment of fruit trees 5 to 6 feet tall each spring

 

[Deerherd]

I planted 30 fruit trees using the excavator. Large holes to promote good root growth the first year. Also bought larger grown in the same zone fruit trees. Need lots of water the first year and I also large cages to keep the deer out!

 

[RNeumann]

If you can find bare root trees for that little money, I want the name of the company. 25-30$ is the going price for bare root from all of the nurseries that I am aware of.

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

 

[fishheadbob]

If you can find bare root trees for that little money, I want the name of the company. 25-30$ is the going price for bare root from all of the nurseries that I am aware of.

That price seems high, I grow a different tree commercially. I googled wholesale apple seedlings then went to the first site that wasn't something at the top of the listings and had paid for the top spot. Anyways, I found bare root seedlings in technical language (stuff like M62 rootstock) I don't speak in apple, selling for maybe $10 or $11 bucks in lots of 25.

 

[BoylermanCT]

A trick to watering new trees is to use 5 gallon buckets with a 1/16" hole on one edge of the bottom of the bucket. Place the hole closest to the tree trunk and let it drain out. In CT they recommend 15 gallons a week, so I would do 3 buckets in a row so I knew exactly how much water each tree received. When you setup a sprinkler, you really have no idea how much water is being absorbed by the tree as you are watering the grass, weeds etc.

 

[plowhog]

This is all incredibly good information-- thank you. I have burrowing creatures everywhere-- mounds and holes but I have no idea what they are. So I will do the gopher cages. And ditto with fencing to protect them from deer, at least until they get much larger.

A family member planted some apple trees about 6 years ago. They all survived and I am surprised the gophers did not get them. I had no idea about the cross-pollination. I've never done this before and obviously have much to learn!

 

[Jstpssng]

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

That's the root stock; if you want a specific apple you need to graft onto it which sets you back another year or two... assuming the graft takes.
Apples can only be propogated by grafting (cloning) if you are trying to get a certain species; I forgot the term but like any hybrid, they don't reproduce true to form from seed.

That price seems high, I grow a different tree commercially. I googled wholesale apple seedlings then went to the first site that wasn't something at the top of the listings and had paid for the top spot. Anyways, I found bare root seedlings in technical language (stuff like M62 rootstock) I don't speak in apple, selling for maybe $10 or $11 bucks in lots of 25.

If you are buying commercially you're getting a better price. See my comment above if you are planting rootstock, hoping to have a commercial orchard. Standard, M111, Bud118, G11,... all refer to the size the tree should get when full grown. The first of course is a full sized tree, the next two are "semi dwarf", while the last is a dwarf or "ladderless" tree.