Zone 3 Apple tree recommendations for deer

[sandbur]

If one wanted to start a zone 3 apple tree planting to feed deer for the longest periods possible, what would you use and which rootstock.

Let's say the area is in northern Mn. or Wis.

 

[sandbur]

Here is what I am considering- dolgo rootstock or whatever Bailey's uses. If I were twenty years younger, I would use ant.

Varieties in approximate order of ripening-
whitney crab, centennial or dolgo crab, chestnut crab, Haralson or haralred, (maybe kerr crab),

for drop times after mid October, choices seem more limited for zone 3. Columbia crab would be a choice if one could find it.

 

[SD51555]

Couldn't you be a little more cavalier if you were able to get them on bud-118?

 

[sandbur]

Wolf River on antonovka or b118

http://www.orangepippintrees.com/collections/apple-trees-zone-3-zone-4

I did some reading on Wolf River and it seems to be quite disease resistant. I tasted an apple last fall and was not impressed with the flavor, so I eliminated it from future consideration. The Fruit, Berry, and Nut Inventory book says that WR can make a fine dessert apple when grown on light soil and in full sun.

 

[sandbur]

Here is what I am considering- dolgo rootstock or whatever Bailey's uses. If I were twenty years younger, I would use ant.

Varieties in approximate order of ripening-
whitney crab, centennial or dolgo crab, chestnut crab, Haralson or haralred, (maybe kerr crab),

for drop times after mid October, choices seem more limited for zone 3. Columbia crab would be a choice if one could find it.

Zone 2 hardy, also.

 

[tooln]

Wolf river make for great applesauce & pies.

 

[sandbur]

stu-from your experience, when did wolf river drop?

My red prairie spy has not impressed me. I mowed around it tonight and thought that I should take it out.

 

[sandbur]

Does anyone have personal experience with Nova Easy Gro?

I have one on first leaf.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Smsmith & anyone else interested in regular Prairie Spy - Saint Lawrence had them in their catalog this past winter/spring. Mr. Bill MacKentley told me by phone that they're a " lot less fussy tree " to grow. Their catalog lists them as resistant to scab & rust. I bought one from them to try. So far it's doing well. ( antonovka )

 

[leexrayshady]

I got scions from maple valley for this year both seem to be doing great

 

[leexrayshady]

I would say at least 3, depending on how may buds you wanted per graft

 

[Jordan Selsor]

Honey crisp on b118 or standard rootstock

 

[leexrayshady]

Love the Apple, hate the tree

Honey crisp on b118 or standard rootstock

 

[wiscwhip]

No idea what they are, but some type of apple/crabapple grows in Talkeetna, AK.

Did you get any scions?;)

 

[Bowsnbucks]

For any of you guys looking for cold-hardy zone 1 to 3 apples & crabapples - Check out this site link. https[URL='https://www.uaf.edu/.../']://www.uaf.edu/.../HGA-00038.pdf[/URL]. The University of Alaska -Fairbanks lists some apples & crabapples for fruit and --- for rootstocks --- Siberian crab, Columbia, Dolgo, Ranetka, or Red Splendor crabs. Some of the recommended apples are Prairie Magic, Carroll, Norland, Zestar, Yellow Transparent, Rescue, Lodi, Geneva Early, Kerr, Heyer #12, Hazen, Patterson. There are more on the list. I hope the reading helps you guys in your quest for some hardy trees.

 

[chummer]

I planted my first apples this year. I tried NY 35 Bonkers and they have more than doubled the growth of most of the other 3 varieties. They are going on 3' of growth already. They ripen mid October.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Chummer - I planted a N.Y. 35 Bonkers this spring too. Mine is also doing pretty well. Got it from Cummins on B-118. It's planted in a small field with an Enterprise and a Goldrush. Prairie Spy ( apple ), Dolgo, & All-Winter-Hangover crabs are really kicking butt as well. Got those from SLN.

 

[sandbur]

For any of you guys looking for cold-hardy zone 1 to 3 apples & crabapples - Check out this site link. https[URL='https://www.uaf.edu/.../']://www.uaf.edu/.../HGA-00038.pdf. The University of Alaska -Fairbanks lists some apples & crabapples for fruit and --- for rootstocks --- Siberian crab, Columbia, Dolgo, Ranetka, or Red Splendor crabs. Some of the recommended apples are Prairie Magic, Carroll, Norland, Zestar, Yellow Transparent, Rescue, Lodi, Geneva Early, Kerr, Heyer #12, Hazen, Patterson. There are more on the list. I hope the reading helps you guys in your quest for some hardy trees.[/URL]

https://www.uaf.edu/.../HGA-00038.pdf


For some reason I cannot get that link to work.

 

[wiscwhip]

Here's the full link, maybe it will work for you?

http://www.uaf.edu/files/ces/publications-db/catalog/anr/HGA-00038.pdf

It worked for me when I tried it. Took a minute to load though.

 

[sandbur]

Thank You. It works.