North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Big Swede" <Jfrisk@pionet.net>]

John  I agree on location, location, location. I once planted Swaar, an
apple rated a 4 star in Apples of New York.  They said it hung on the tree
well.  The only reason that I could see that that was true was because even
the birds wouldn't eat it!  It tasted horrible.  In our area Golden Russet
is a good apple but Roxbury Russet was not edible.  I think one must be
willing to try several varieties and rip out the bad ones that don't work.
Your suggestion that going to collections or older orchards is a good idea.
Jud

-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org]On Behalf Of John Bunker
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 8:17 AM
To: North American Fruit Explorers
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] third apple for backyard orchard?


Allen,


A couple suggestions about your search.

When people ask me what variety to add to their yard, the first question I
ask is, where do you live?  What will thrive in Washington or Ohio or Maine
for that matter is in no way guaranteed to do well in central Massachusetts.
My suggestion to you would be to visit or talk to local growers.  One I
would recommend is John Bemis in Concord.  He could also lead you to other
growers in your area.

You should also consider checking out Tower Hill Botanic Gardens near
Worcester.  They have an excellent collection of about 200 apple varieties
that have been growing in central Mass for 150-350 years.  Tower Hill also
has tastings and sells fruit in the fall.  Some of the varieties that were
mentioned in recent emails are in their collection.

There is a lot of debate about the relative merit of the newer and
'heirloom' varieties.  Some like to say that most of the old varieties are
spitters. At last summers NAFEX meeting Tom Burford agreed.  Then he added
that most of the new varieties are also spitters.  From my experience, there
are some excellent new varieties and some excellent older ones.


Good luck on your search,

John


*****
John Bunker
Fedco
Trees and Shrubs for the North
P.O. Box 520
Waterville ME 04903

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