TonySoprano
5 year old buck +
Found this in Instagram, thought it was pretty cool 
Big Buck killed in a stand of 30 06 Crabapples
- Thread starter TonySoprano
- Start date
Mortenson
5 year old buck +
Plowed the timber farm today. The middle orchard is pretty close to 1 of the field edges. Saw a few trees that all had apples like this. Assuming they're 30-06. But also saw a few that had a yellowish blush with the red so maybe they were. Maybe these were winter wildlife in hindsight. In any case, they all looked good.
weekender21
5 year old buck +
My 2017 30-06
It was still holding on October 14th but dropped easily when I shook the branches. Ground beneath the tree is pretty torn up. The critters definitely approve.
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It was still holding on October 14th but dropped easily when I shook the branches. Ground beneath the tree is pretty torn up. The critters definitely approve.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've been very critical of my 30-06 for a few years but it's gaining major favor with me. The fruit loses its integrity pretty early in the season. Shake one after a few frosts and you'll regret it. The apples splatter on the ground, and on you! But deer still love it, I believe they literally lick the sauce off the ground.
It also seemed biennial to me, alternating light and heavy crops. But this year was its 2nd consecutive heavy crop, so maybe it was just a maturity thing.
Lastly, I was hit with a 23F frost while my trees were in bloom this spring. I lost probably 80%+ of what I expected my overall crop to be this year. Despite that, all 3 of my WC trees (30-06, Droptine and 10 Point) had their best crops to date.
It also seemed biennial to me, alternating light and heavy crops. But this year was its 2nd consecutive heavy crop, so maybe it was just a maturity thing.
Lastly, I was hit with a 23F frost while my trees were in bloom this spring. I lost probably 80%+ of what I expected my overall crop to be this year. Despite that, all 3 of my WC trees (30-06, Droptine and 10 Point) had their best crops to date.
TonySoprano
5 year old buck +
How old would you say your 30 06 is ?
Planted 2017. I have poor soil, don't water, and this spring was first time I ever fertilized. That being said, I don't see the growth rates I see a lot of others have.
TonySoprano
5 year old buck +
They look great to me , that 30 06 in the middle looks loaded. No offence ment, but if you never watered them you really can't complain especially with that sucess !. I water once or twice a week the first year , and can't say mine look much better.
None taken. I am very happy with their performance given their conditions. They epitomize what a good wildlife tree should be IMO.
TonySoprano
5 year old buck +
Awesome. Did you order any of Terry's new Death Wish trees to try ?. I ordered 3 of those , another 30 06 , 1 Redfield , 1 Golden Hornet and 1 Feather up.
No, I ordered 1 each of Droptine, 10 Point, and 30-06 in 2017 and got heavy into grafting myself a couple years later. So I have several more of those varieties but haven't purchased anything more from Terry.
bigboreblr
5 year old buck +
Was tempted to buy 10 point, but never did. Not sure if I need another crabapple variety. Definitely not at home. Got about 40 trees in 32 or so varieties. I do like that he has the common ones too.
He sold me a pair of droptines on anty. Got them in novemeber. That winter camp had a -38 degree day. The top of doptine dies back about 2 feet. 30-06's were ok. I grafted 2 more to try up there. 30-06 are doing good. Hard to compare home and camp, soil is alot more rich and rorotilled about 6ft daimeter and 3ft deep, and they get watered weekly.
Will graft a 30-06 or two this spring, but will be focusing on sant lawrence nurseries offerings more.
Crossbow has been a winner here so far. Great growth, although I ammended the soil the best and it's planted near my drainage ditch. Thought terry was blowing smoke about insect resistance. Bugs have been leaving this one alone. I do spray all my home trees though. Planted crossbow at camp october 2023 and one or two thiss fall. Grafted in the spring on anty, put in 3 gallon grow pots, then dug a hole big enough to put them in. No ammending besides spreading some lime and a bit of fertilizer around site. Full bag of mulch though.
He sold me a pair of droptines on anty. Got them in novemeber. That winter camp had a -38 degree day. The top of doptine dies back about 2 feet. 30-06's were ok. I grafted 2 more to try up there. 30-06 are doing good. Hard to compare home and camp, soil is alot more rich and rorotilled about 6ft daimeter and 3ft deep, and they get watered weekly.
Will graft a 30-06 or two this spring, but will be focusing on sant lawrence nurseries offerings more.
Crossbow has been a winner here so far. Great growth, although I ammended the soil the best and it's planted near my drainage ditch. Thought terry was blowing smoke about insect resistance. Bugs have been leaving this one alone. I do spray all my home trees though. Planted crossbow at camp october 2023 and one or two thiss fall. Grafted in the spring on anty, put in 3 gallon grow pots, then dug a hole big enough to put them in. No ammending besides spreading some lime and a bit of fertilizer around site. Full bag of mulch though.
TonySoprano
5 year old buck +
So far I'd say 30 06 grows the best for me, the Droptine gets some CAR but it doesn't really effect the fruit , the deer were standing on their hind legs to get droptines , but I don't think I'd plant anymore Droptines. Not sure about the crossbow , I only have one but hasn't grown that much.
bigboreblr
5 year old buck +
Crossbow has been going well so far. Planted november 2022. Took extra care of this tree. Probably prepped a 8ft wide 3-4 ft deep spot with a 1/2 bag of peat moss, some lime, kitchen compost, and leftover potting soil from hanging plants n porch plants. Probably a little over pruned Getting that tall look. Will adjust this winter. I usually give it more water than other trees.
Terry is definitely up to something with this tree. Bugs don't mess with it much. Although I spray my trees, you see them on there. But not this one. A bite her a bite there. Beetles and catepillars bothering trees right next to it.
TonySoprano
5 year old buck +
My Crossbow looks a little wonky , I left the lower branches on and should have pruned them off like you did. If I have room maybe I'll try another crossbow in 2026.
