Apple Orchard

[Charlie's Army]

I have been asked to do some research on the possiblity of starting a small apple orchard on our hunting property. I have glanced through some of the forums and have found little info. Do any of you have a good place to start?

 

[LA man]

WHAT EVER U DO MAKE SURE U FENCE THE TREES OFF. THE DEER LOVE EATING THE BRANCHES SO MUCH IT KILLES THE TREES

 

[Crosshairy]

LA Man brings up a good point. I wonder what some saplings of a respectable height would cost to help jump-start your work.

Also, have you considered making it a mixed-fruit orchard? That would give you a better chance of withstanding weather, diseases, animals, etc. Also, if you picked trees that bloom and drop fruit at different times, it would inrease the time that the orchard would draw deer to the area.

Just some thoughts. I'm not a tree guru, so I don't know what choices are optimal for this region. Maybe others could chime in here.

 

[Football Hunter]

Look into pear trees,some of them drop fruit LATE into hunting season

 

[Southpaw]

Good ideas!

 

[kholmes]

I agree with the pears. Alot less work they kinda fend for themeselves. I have some apple trees that are 10 yrs old that never produced. If you have cedar trees around they will be suseptible to cedar-apple-blight.

 

[Football Hunter]

Check out Edward Fort Nurseries .com,thats where I got mine.They will send you a catalogue as well

 

[Charlie's Army]

thanks I will check out the site

 

[LA man]

CHECK WITH A NURSERY, U MAY WANT TO GET DIFFERENT TYPES OF APPLE TREES FOR CROSS POLINISATION. AND DIFFERENT KINDS OF APPLE TREES DROP APPLES AT DIFFERENT TIMES. DEER LOVE PEARS ALSO