See follow-up post below for new information.
Original Post:
Hi everybody; new member here, about to acquire my first apple tree. I have the feeling that this is the beginning of a lifetime endeavor. I’m hoping you can help me get started…
My fiancée (Colleen) and I would like to include a tree planting as part of our wedding ceremony, and have agreed upon an apple tree. It’s a fall wedding (this coming October 9th) on a farm/apple orchard, and we love apples, so it just seems to fit. So now, we’re trying to figure out how to make that happen.
I’ve started researching varieties and root stocks, and am quickly becoming overwhelmed by the options. One of the limiting factors seems to be the availability of trees on such short notice. Most of the resources I find on the web seem to deliver in Spring, or late Fall only. Are we stuck with whatever we can find at a local nursery? They seem to have limited varieties, and don’t say much about the rootstock.
The basic idea for the ceremony is to plant a sapling—perhaps 1’-3’ tall—in a pot. We’ll bring that pot home with us, but we then have some options. We own a condo in Boston, Massachusetts and could potentially plant the tree in the yard, but will likely be moving within 10 years. We could keep the potted tree on our deck, but I’ve read that potted trees are susceptible to their roots freezing.
1. How difficult would transplanting the tree be in 5-10 years, if we plant it in the ground?
2. Are there any rootstocks which would survive being kept outdoors in a container/above ground through the winter? I believe we’re in Zone 6.
3. Could we possibly insulate the pot? Or maybe plant the pot itself in the ground?
Assuming we can find a source for the rootstock of our choice, would you have particular recommendations? Since this tree is meant to be symbolic of our union, we’d like to make sure it’s hardy and disease resistant. Something which does not require staking would be preferable. We aren’t necessarily looking for a dwarf tree; it makes sense to select a slow-growing tree, but wouldn’t mind if it eventually became a nice large (and long-lived) fixture in our future yard. Is Bud 118 our best bet?
In terms of variety, we’re looking for something crisp and flavorful. We tend to select Gala and Braeburn from the supermarket, but wouldn’t mind something a little more exotic. Colleen absolutely loves Honey Crisp, so they’re an option—I know they’re supposedly quite hardy—but I tend to find their flavor a little unsophisticated. My personal favorite is Cortland, but only when they’re nice and firm. We’d never heard of it until a few days ago, but are quite intrigued by Cox’s Orange Pippin; I think we’d both be happy with that, if we could find a source in time. The idea of an antique variety is appealing. Anything else you’d suggest exploring?
A self-fertile variety would be a plus, but is not a requirement. If need be, we’re fine with planting another tree when we’re ready to have the tree bear fruit.
Anyway, I know this is a lot to sort through… I honestly never knew just how complex apples were. Now I’m fascinated, but need to figure out how to hit the ground running. Thanks for any advice you can provide!
Alex
Need Help Selecting Our Wedding Tree
Moderator: appledude
Need Help Selecting Our Wedding Tree
Last edited by Alex on Wed Sep 14, 2011 12:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Need Help Selecting Our Wedding Tree
We’ve received some advice from a friend, and have some updates...
He agreed with our concern that the tree would not survive the winter in a container on our deck. His suggestion is to plant the potted tree in the ground, using a “container-in-a-container” approach. That way we can lift the tree out of the ground from time to time, to trim any roots which grow through the container.
He suggested that we reconsider planting a sapling; he says that the majority of saplings do not survive. Instead, he recommended planting a more established tree, perhaps 5’-7’ tall, but less than 2” caliper. He said we should find a ball and burlap tree locally, and not worry too much about the rootstock. His main concern is Cedar Apple Rust; he said that is the most significant risk to apples in the Boston area, and we should only consider varieties which are listed as “very resistant” to it.
So, it looks like Liberty and Milton are strong contenders… other options include McIntosh, Priscilla and Redfree. Any other suggestions or recommendations? Comments on our friend's advice?
He agreed with our concern that the tree would not survive the winter in a container on our deck. His suggestion is to plant the potted tree in the ground, using a “container-in-a-container” approach. That way we can lift the tree out of the ground from time to time, to trim any roots which grow through the container.
He suggested that we reconsider planting a sapling; he says that the majority of saplings do not survive. Instead, he recommended planting a more established tree, perhaps 5’-7’ tall, but less than 2” caliper. He said we should find a ball and burlap tree locally, and not worry too much about the rootstock. His main concern is Cedar Apple Rust; he said that is the most significant risk to apples in the Boston area, and we should only consider varieties which are listed as “very resistant” to it.
So, it looks like Liberty and Milton are strong contenders… other options include McIntosh, Priscilla and Redfree. Any other suggestions or recommendations? Comments on our friend's advice?
Re: Need Help Selecting Our Wedding Tree
I have been following another thread about liberty apples on the Quality Deer Managment Association (QDMA) forum. Here's a great post that talks about liberty apples.
"A ripe Liberty is a fantastic apple. I live in southeast Ohio and I've been picking Liberty for the last 5 days. They're still not all ripe yet, but quite a few are. I've never left any on the tree so I don't know how long they'll hang. A fair number of the ripe ones I've picked have been on the ground and had dropped in the last 24 hours, so my guess is that they might not hang on the tree very long after ripe, but that is purely a guess.
I have tried many of the common "popular" apples such as mcintosh, cortland, jonathan, red delicious, melrose, empire, jonagold, etc., and in my opinion a fully ripe Liberty beats all those I listed, most of them hands down, in both the taste and texture departments. A fully ripe Liberty - grown in this area - is sweet with still a hint of tart to it, and has an excellent breaking/crisp bite. Overall, I even like them better than Honeycrisp, although I do like Honeycrisp a lot. I've also heard that they keep pretty well, although the longest I've kept one is a month. It kept very well and tasted after a month like it was straight off the tree."
While i'm very new to growing apple trees, one concern I might have about growing a tree in a pot for long is the fact that the roots my just keep circling in the pot which is not healthy. Secondly, do you have some crab apples or other apples nearby to help with pollination?
I planted 2 liberty trees on my farm this spring. I bought MM.111 rootstock from Cummin's Nursery in NY. They have a fine selection of trees if you are looking for a nursery to buy from.
"A ripe Liberty is a fantastic apple. I live in southeast Ohio and I've been picking Liberty for the last 5 days. They're still not all ripe yet, but quite a few are. I've never left any on the tree so I don't know how long they'll hang. A fair number of the ripe ones I've picked have been on the ground and had dropped in the last 24 hours, so my guess is that they might not hang on the tree very long after ripe, but that is purely a guess.
I have tried many of the common "popular" apples such as mcintosh, cortland, jonathan, red delicious, melrose, empire, jonagold, etc., and in my opinion a fully ripe Liberty beats all those I listed, most of them hands down, in both the taste and texture departments. A fully ripe Liberty - grown in this area - is sweet with still a hint of tart to it, and has an excellent breaking/crisp bite. Overall, I even like them better than Honeycrisp, although I do like Honeycrisp a lot. I've also heard that they keep pretty well, although the longest I've kept one is a month. It kept very well and tasted after a month like it was straight off the tree."
While i'm very new to growing apple trees, one concern I might have about growing a tree in a pot for long is the fact that the roots my just keep circling in the pot which is not healthy. Secondly, do you have some crab apples or other apples nearby to help with pollination?
I planted 2 liberty trees on my farm this spring. I bought MM.111 rootstock from Cummin's Nursery in NY. They have a fine selection of trees if you are looking for a nursery to buy from.
Re: Need Help Selecting Our Wedding Tree
Thanks for your response! Yes, we’re leaning heavily towards the Liberty now. I’m going to check with Cummins, to see if they sell ball-and-burlap trees.
I’ve come across a fair amount of information on growing apple trees in containers, but hadn’t considered the condition of the roots. Is that what they call becoming “root bound”? I would imagine that being in a container would restrict growth… but do you think it will overcome that, once we eventually plant it in the ground, or will the snarl of roots created by 5-10 years in a pot cause irreversible damage? Would we be better off planting it in the ground, then uprooting it when we move?
We don’t presently have another tree for pollination. The fruit is not our top priority right away; eventually we’ll get another apple or a crabapple tree, once we’re ready to have it bear fruit.
One other item; the spot we have for the tree at present is in partial shade. I know this is not ideal, and would likely restrict growth/reduce the amount of fruit produced… Most resources I’ve come across say that planting in partial shade is not suggested, but is viable. Are we asking too much of the tree, between keeping it in a container, and not giving it full sun?
I’ve come across a fair amount of information on growing apple trees in containers, but hadn’t considered the condition of the roots. Is that what they call becoming “root bound”? I would imagine that being in a container would restrict growth… but do you think it will overcome that, once we eventually plant it in the ground, or will the snarl of roots created by 5-10 years in a pot cause irreversible damage? Would we be better off planting it in the ground, then uprooting it when we move?
We don’t presently have another tree for pollination. The fruit is not our top priority right away; eventually we’ll get another apple or a crabapple tree, once we’re ready to have it bear fruit.
One other item; the spot we have for the tree at present is in partial shade. I know this is not ideal, and would likely restrict growth/reduce the amount of fruit produced… Most resources I’ve come across say that planting in partial shade is not suggested, but is viable. Are we asking too much of the tree, between keeping it in a container, and not giving it full sun?
Re: Need Help Selecting Our Wedding Tree
So after all that, we’ve come up with a slightly different idea… It’s a little crazy, but we’re going to plant apple seeds. I know that you can’t predict what the resulting tree is, if it will survive, or if the fruit will be edible. We’re changing the symbolism a bit; viewing the tree (and any required successors) as a symbol of our commitment to growing and adapting together—no matter what comes—as opposed to a single tree being symbolic of our marriage. It would put our own twist on the tradition, and also protect the symbolism from the potential death of the tree.
We’ve got plans to go apple picking at an orchard which grows a broad variety of apples, including heirloom varieties. We’re thinking about using seeds from multiple types of apple from that orchard, and seeing what comes up. Any thoughts?
Thanks for your help, and sorry for the abrupt change in plans!
We’ve got plans to go apple picking at an orchard which grows a broad variety of apples, including heirloom varieties. We’re thinking about using seeds from multiple types of apple from that orchard, and seeing what comes up. Any thoughts?
Thanks for your help, and sorry for the abrupt change in plans!
Re: Need Help Selecting Our Wedding Tree
Not crazy at all - trust me I'm CrazyED! It's fun to do it that way as well. Once again, I will direct your attention to a thread on the Quality Deer Management Association forum. A group of hunters and land managers (myself included) did the same and I think you will find this information very valuable. Take a look.
http://www.qdma.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38902
Start your trees from seed and if you don't get the variety you are looking for you can always graft known varieties to these trees started from seed. Checkout the rootmaker/roottrapper pots or bags for planting so you don't get rootbound trees! http://www.bigrocktrees.com/supplies?sort=20a&page=2 sells them.
http://www.qdma.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38902
Start your trees from seed and if you don't get the variety you are looking for you can always graft known varieties to these trees started from seed. Checkout the rootmaker/roottrapper pots or bags for planting so you don't get rootbound trees! http://www.bigrocktrees.com/supplies?sort=20a&page=2 sells them.