A look at the orchard

[Natureboy]

Some of the trees are still holding quite a few apples, Goldrush & Galarina

 

[buckvelvet]

So no deer activity then? Got it....... :)

Did ya take any notes of what seemed to be holding? Anything surprising?

 

[Natureboy]

Based on this years results only, I would rate Goldrush and Galarina highest for holding apples late into the winter. Followed by Liberty, Freedom, Crimsoncrisp, Suncrisp Enterprise and Honeycrisp. Although the Querina trees were loaded and almost poured apples onto the ground in October and November, they are bare of hanging fruit now.

 

[Jhoss]

Great stuff! Interested in the race (longest holding) between Goldrush and Galarina. I've never chomped into a Galarina...how are they for fresh eating?

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Great looking orchard, Natureboy !! Deer love ya. I saw your earlier pix in this thread and you've done a good job. Nice to see the payoff with deer zeroing in on your apple trees.
We have a couple Goldrush ( another one coming ) and Galarina trees in our assortment, too. It's good to see what we can expect of ours in January. Congrats on a nice lay-out !!

 

[Natureboy]

Jhoss, To the best of my recollection, Galarina is a small crisp sweet apple, good for fresh eating. Unfortunately I did not take notes but that is what I remember. I had over 20 different varieties ripening in the same time period so i hope my memory is better than my note taking.

 

[H20fwler]

Oh crap....now I'm going to have to find a couple Galarina for this spring! ;)

Orchard looks awesome NB!

 

[Jordan Selsor]

What an epic thread!!! Worth a bump!

 

[OakSeeds]

Your orchard master (he or she) has done an outstanding job of maintaining both of your plantings. Congrats ... a lovely visual tour!

 

[BuckSnort]

With all the critters, disease, and other forces of nature stacked against us, I’m sure this is what many of us dream of having someday!

 

[Charman03]

Great thread

 

[Chainsaw]

Excellent orchard pictures Nature boy. The pictures show quite narrow diameter fencing on the larger trees. Did you grow them fenced with a wider diameter and then redo the fencing to more narrow when the tree got older or did you grow them from the start with the smaller diameter fencing? Also did the deer give you any problems as you had them fenced?
As others have said very good job in your orchard project and thanks for posting all about it.

 

[Natureboy]

Excellent orchard pictures Nature boy. The pictures show quite narrow diameter fencing on the larger trees. Did you grow them fenced with a wider diameter and then redo the fencing to more narrow when the tree got older or did you grow them from the start with the smaller diameter fencing? Also did the deer give you any problems as you had them fenced?
As others have said very good job in your orchard project and thanks for posting all about it.

When I initially plant the trees, I protect them with 4 to 5 foot diameter fences, after the trees have grown somewhat, I replace the larger diameter fence and install a smaller fence as shown in post #41. No problems with deer, the bear however are another story.

 

[Catscratch]

When I first started planting trees I chose to try to keep it random and natural looking. I'll be damned if these pics of perfect rows of perfect trees has me reconsidering that decision. Damn you. Damn you all to hell! (in my best Charlton Heston voice).

 

[Charman03]

When I initially plant the trees, I protect them with 4 to 5 foot diameter fences, after the trees have grown somewhat, I replace the larger diameter fence and install a smaller fence as shown in post #41. No problems with deer, the bear however are another story.

What’s the stats on your smaller fence? I’m using these now just to keep the antlers off my trunk as my lowest branches are pretty safe now. Makes it easier mowing

 

[TreeDaddy]

This thread and Native Hunters property tours are habitat porn to the tree junkie addicts

bill

 

[Natureboy]

What’s the stats on your smaller fence? I’m using these now just to keep the antlers off my trunk as my lowest branches are pretty safe now. Makes it easier mowing

I generally use field fence from Tractor Supply. A 330' long by 47" high roll goes for slightly less than $200. When making my large diameter fences I will use three or four posts and secure the fencing with the bottom about 18" off the ground. Once the trees are larger, about the third of fourth year, I cut the larger fence pieces up to make several 12 to 18" diameter sections with the fence bottom resting on the ground and secured with 2 posts. This makes mowing easier and allows the deer to access the apples that have fallen while protecting the tree trunks from rubbing bucks..

 

[Natureboy]

I took advantage of the mild weather yesterday to get an early start pruning the orchard. The varieties that I noted to still have hanging fruit were: Goldrush, Sundance, Kerr and Golden Nugget. I was able to get apples of the Kerr, Goldrush and Sundance to fall with a gentle shake of the trees. The Golden Nugget trees ( bushes) took a harder shake to dislodge fruit. No feedback on Galarina as my only tree was taken out by a bear last fall.

 

[Suburbhunter]

Sorry I couldn't resist. Awesome orchard!!!!

 

[Merle Hawggard]

I took advantage of the mild weather yesterday to get an early start pruning the orchard. The varieties that I noted to still have hanging fruit were: Goldrush, Sundance, Kerr and Golden Nugget. I was able to get apples of the Kerr, Goldrush and Sundance to fall with a gentle shake of the trees. The Golden Nugget trees ( bushes) took a harder shake to dislodge fruit. No feedback on Galarina as my only tree was taken out by a bear last fall.

Have you ate any golden nugget apples?
I added this to my scion list this year based on the late Hoyt Adair's recommendation from an old Classical Fruit catalog of his.

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