Homestead mailing list

[Lisa Kae Van Meter Perry <lisakvperry AT gmail.com>]

On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 4:32 PM, Lisa Kae Van Meter Perry <
lisakvperry AT gmail.com> wrote:

> On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 3:40 PM, Lynda <lurine AT com-pair.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> We are looking at espaliering fruit trees so we can get more in a smaller
>> space.
>>
>
> Lynda,
>
> We have these and they are a pain in rear. Require LOTS of pruning. From
> our limited experience, the Asian pears are doing the best of all the
> espaliered
> apples & pears that we have. The other trees don't produce enough to
> warrant
> the amount of effort put into them--but maybe you'll have a better
> experience.
>
>>
>> > The lot has a big, totally overgrown apple tree that produced lots of
>> > fruit this year. I will be rather severely pruning it this winter. The
>> big
>> > grapevine has grown right into it, so that needs serious cutting back,
>> as
>> > well.
>>
>
> This was for RAy.


> Consider talking to an Ag Extension person about this tree. Have them out
> to your place, they are usually happy to make an appointment and it's free.
>
> We learned that it's really hard on a tree to severely prune it. Better to
> make
> a series of cuts over a few years to give the tree time to recover in
> between.
> Also, it's very important for the long-term health of the tree to make
> sure you
> make proper collar cuts otherwise in as few as three years you could lose
> an entire limb to rot or make it more susceptible to bark beetles (which
> will
> kill it, too).
>
>> >
>> > There is a peach tree, as well, but no fruit was on it. We did have a
>> late
>> > frost last spring, so that may have done it in.
>>
>
> That could do it, but some peach trees are finicky. Also peach trees don't
> bear fruit past 20-25 years of age.
>
>> >
>> > I am planning on 3 additional peach trees, 2 apricot, 2 cherry, 2 plum,
>> > and 3 more apple trees. Maybe a pear or two, as well...
>> >
>> > a small orchard, but tending fruit trees does not require as much
>> bending
>> > and kneeling...   ;-)
>>
>
> This is pretty much what we're planning on at our new place (when we have
> it). We're thinking much less--less to prune, less fruit to thin early in
> the spring,
> less spraying, less picking, harvesting, and processing--but still enough
> to eat.
> We want apple, cherry, peach & pears.
>
> Lisa
>
>
>
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>
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