I got two apple trees given to me maybe eight footers. The lady did not know what type of Apple they were. Will I have to wait for them to grow an apple to see what kind they are or is there any other way to tell?? I kind of already know what the answer is but didn’t know if there’s some secret way to tell????
There are very, very few apple trees that are self pollinating. So, hopefully the 2 that you have are compatible pollinators for each other. Are they still in their original nursery buckets? Chance they are root bound? Cut and separate some of the roots if that is the case.
I can tell my trees apart by looking at them, but if I didn’t know what they we’re I’d have no way to id them blind. You’ll have to wait for apples, and even then you may not be able to figure it out beyond a general strain. Ex… Crisp vs mac vs golden family. There are 100s of varieties.
One thing that’s probably more important is to know is if it’s been grafted onto a different root stock. Look for a graft union above the roots. That will mean it’s a dwarf or semi dwarf variety, and will be a more manageable size. It will also produce apples sooner. If it’s a standard tree it may take 10-20 years to bear fruit. You generally want a grafted variety.
Finally, 8 feet is about twice as big as you want to be planting a tree at. Unless you have a monster root with it, I would highly suggest trimming the tree back to half it’s size. The first year is about root development and survival, and if you don’t balance the tree with the root it will hurt it’s growth over the next few years or just die outright. Fruit trees like to be severely trimmed. Also plan on 1-2 gallons of water per tree per week july through September in the first year.
Most trees are compatible pollinators and bloom pretty close to each other. A nearby crabapple will also pollinate. Don’t forget to protect against rabbits and deer. Fukkers will destroy a tree.
I have 3 young apple trees and planted a crabapple tree this year to add extra source for pollination.
I have 3 young apple trees and planted a crabapple tree this year to add extra source for pollination.
Fruit trees are addictive. Were at nearly 20 apples trees at last count. There are also pears, plums, cherries and peaches. I used to think that we were going to have an orchard in our front yard. Now it’s more like our front yard is an orchard.
Also beware that voles will girdle a tree. Best bet is to buy some fine mesh or tubing you can place around the base of the trunk. We had some unprotected volunteer plums and the voles killed half the trees.
Most trees are compatible pollinators and bloom pretty close to each other. A nearby crabapple will also pollinate. Don’t forget to protect against rabbits and deer. Fukkers will destroy a tree.
I have six apple trees all together two wealthy’s one Haraldson one Zestar and then the two unknowns. The two new ones are in the ground and planted I transplanted them both into 55 gallon trash bins and try to get as much dirt around them as possible. They both seem to be doing quite well. I will try and Prune them back to half. Thanks for the replies
The lady was putting in a new basketball court for her kids so they were just going to get bulldozed over. No way I was going to let that happen.
Josh, have you had any apples off your Zestar? I planted one this Spring. I know it will be a few years before it really produces but curious what you think of the fruit?
Nope,it is its second year I did not see any blossoms on it this spring😔 Either.So no apples off of it this year. My wealthy is loaded this year by the way it looks👍
I’ve got Gravenstein, McIntosh & the Zestar. Other fruit trees include, apricot, peach, plum and nectarine. Blackberries and Boysenberries round out my fruit.
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