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Thread: apple tree question
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Tue, Aug 28th, 2012, 05:23 PM #1
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hi! i have no talent in gardening but i really want an apple tree in our backyard. i would prefer the 4in1 or 5in1 type of apple tree. is it as simple as buy a tree from the nursery and plant it? or am i missing something?
thanks for the help!This thread is currently associated with: Apple
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Wed, Aug 29th, 2012, 11:31 AM #2
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While I am not familiar with the variety you mention, fruit trees in general probably favour planting in spring or fall. You might want to find out what soil type you have in your yard and find out what water/soil needs a new tree would need when you bring one home from a nursery. If you know someone in your neighbourhood or social group that is an avid gardener with tree fruits, arrange a chat with him or her.
Quite certain you would have to commit to spraying the tree each spring to ensure some uniform fruit otherwise the apples might look uneven (ok on one side and squished point on other side). Does your yard get bees? They have to pollinate the blossoms that turn into fruit later.
A family member with a knack/knowledge of grafting or starting a cutting to yield a future tree does this work in early spring or fall, when sap flow is slower. By chance a fallen quince fruit from last autumn left on the ground grew roots around the parent tree and developed a small tree this spring-alas it did not survive my digging efforts to transplant it to another yard. The roots were part of the problem-two of the them went around the other tree so new tree was tipsy.2021-Bring on the sunshine, sweets & online shopping.
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Wed, Aug 29th, 2012, 02:35 PM #3
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thanks!
4in1 or 5in1: it's an apple tree that bears 4 or 5 different varieties of apples (granny smith, mcintosh, gala, etc). the good thing about this kind of tree is that it doesn't need another apple tree for pollination. and the apples come out at different times so you can have a variety for different months. these are what i have read.
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Wed, Aug 29th, 2012, 03:56 PM #4
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Wed, Aug 29th, 2012, 04:03 PM #5
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Wed, Aug 29th, 2012, 06:06 PM #6
These grafted trees will be expensive and you run the risk of one of the grafts dying, especially if you live in a severe zone. It does seem like the perfect tree, I just wanted to list a couple of potential pitfalls to consider too.
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Wed, Aug 29th, 2012, 07:13 PM #7
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Wed, Aug 29th, 2012, 09:21 PM #8
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I think you should visit your local garden centre - not the hardware or grocery store varieties (not that they're open now anyhow, or to say they can't give advice, but I do think you'll do better at a regular garden centre/nursery). They will have more knowledge of what will or won't work well in your area, whether spraying is required, etc. The type of tree you're looking at, I think there's a much greater risk of failure with that type of tree. Better to go for one apple variety that you know you'll like and will do well. A simple apple tree will also be easier to care for I'd think. Good luck!
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Wed, Aug 29th, 2012, 09:33 PM #9
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Wed, Aug 29th, 2012, 09:52 PM #10
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Wed, Aug 29th, 2012, 10:24 PM #11
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Nurseries want their trees to do well. Ask away. I have two apple trees in the back. Not the fancy 4 in 1, but good size apples. I put some manure around the tree in the spring usually, so it soaks through to the roots. There's lawn around it so I don't dig into the dirt. Doesn't need any other care.
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Thu, Aug 30th, 2012, 09:37 AM #12
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Thu, Aug 30th, 2012, 09:38 AM #13
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thanks everyone for all your replies! appreciate it very much!
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Mon, Sep 3rd, 2012, 12:56 AM #14
Most reputable nurseries offer a guarantee or warranty on their products, so this should protect you from losing your investment. You do however have to follow their planting and maintenance instruction closely.
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Mon, Sep 3rd, 2012, 10:48 AM #15
I have both a 4-in1 appl and pear tree. The pear tree is wonderful. That apple is a disaster. It has only products apples about 2 yrs and they are so gross with bugs that they are not usable. The only way to get it to product anything useful would be to spray it with poisons. I really am not keen on doing that so I am considering cutting it down.
The pear tree on the other hand had the best yr yet. It was so loaded with fruit that some of the branches needed support they were so heavy with fruit. Right now the red bartlets are almost done and are just like the fruit you buy in the store. The regular barlets are now read and then once they are done I have anjou to eat and then bosc. Almost no bugs and I never spray it. Prune it a bit each yr and put some nice compost at the bottom and it is good to go.
I wish I had gotten 2 pear trees and forgot about the apple. I'll leave the apples to the pros.
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