New Apple Tree ideas

[Mell]

FB [Out of interest, how well do trees establish in your area?]

Hmm, it seems so variable, the rootstocks I'm getting now seem healthier, so the trees are doing better than earlier ones, and it also depends on the age of the tree the scion came from. Given I'm grafting my own, there seems to be more variables than just soil conditions

[FB.]

Rob

In my experience, apple trees will quite happily branch themselves if left to their own devices.
The tendency to branch is often related to the vigour of the tree.
Varieties being grown in very compact forms such as cordons or espaliers need pruning to keep them compact and fruitful.

[FB.]

FB [Out of interest, how well do trees establish in your area?]

Hmm, it seems so variable, the rootstocks I'm getting now seem healthier, so the trees are doing better than earlier ones, and it also depends on the age of the tree the scion came from. Given I'm grafting my own, there seems to be more variables than just soil conditions

Last winter I planted out a line of first-year layered MM106 rootstocks.
I dug one up for a friend today (he's found an old tree and wats to propagate it). The rootstock that I dug up for him now has a rootball about six inches deep/wide.
The top growth during 2010 was about six inches. Girth increased by about 1mm.

I have a MM106 rootstock that's three years old and it grows several inches per year. Girth is about 9 mm.

[Mell]

I'll try & measure some tomorrow once it is light