Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

nafex - Re: [NAFEX] A righteous borer tool

nafex@lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Richard J. Ossolinski" <osso@acadia.net>
  • To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [NAFEX] A righteous borer tool
  • Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 23:36:39 -0500

Oops! Apologies to the group, as this was intended as personal to M.P.
Richard

On Nov 21, 2005, at 11:31 PM, Richard J. Ossolinski wrote:

Dear Ahab,
Call me Ishmael, but I found this bit boring. Also, have received and thank you for sending a copy of the revised edition: stellar work! Here's wishing you multiple printings and all due success.
Ozzie

On Nov 21, 2005, at 7:33 PM, Michael Phillips wrote:

<x-tad-bigger>Hi all,</x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger> </x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger>Twenty years of suffering have gone into this discovery, as I’ve done the incessant search for damage -- and thus the grub culprits -- caused by the round-headed appletree borer. In the process, I’ve probably lost four or so good pocketknives (misplaced in the grass) and at least a few dozen trees. All the biology and “trunk clues” are explained in my book, including the new revised edition, but what’s new here is that I’ve finally discovered the right tool to go borer hunting. The key is to delve throughout all damaged cambium and end up with a skewered grub at the end of the search. It turns out that a 3/8” borer bit (I’m not making up this name! though it’s also known as a spade bit) is a righteous device for poking up the dreaded borer! Smaller diameter drill bits of this type do not have the spear point. This bit is plenty sturdy to open up damaged areas, poke gently into suspected crevices, and absolutely great at delivering the hiding grub from its lowest hiding tunnel. The goal is to get these bastards in the fall of year one, and certainly by the subsequent spring. The old idea of using a wire to follow a deep, winding tunnel is fine, but geez, really: Why not get them soon after egg hatch with a full thrust jab to the gut? The spade bit is not unlike a harpoon in this regard.</x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger> </x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger>And if anyone thinks this advice is being offered up by a nut, well then, you really don’t understand how incredibly devastating the borer can be, do you?</x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger> </x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger>I’ll just sign off appropriately . . .</x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger>Regards,</x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger>Captain Ahab</x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger> </x-tad-bigger>
Michael Phillips
Lost Nation Orchard
859 Lost Nation Road
Groveton, NH 03582
603-636-2286
www.HerbsAndApples.com<x-tad-bigger> </x-tad-bigger>
 
<x-tad-bigger>Book News:</x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger>  A full-color edition of "Apple Grower", revised and expanded, filled with all the latest cutting-edge information on organic orcharding, is Hot Off the Press!  More than 70 new pages have been added, including many informative charts. Check it all out on our web site, and get in your holiday orders today.</x-tad-bigger>



Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page