North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Thomas Olenio" <tolenio@sentex.net>]

Hello,

 

I normally winter prune in mid March (spring break).  There are a couple of standard trees (circa 1918) and I let my teenage sons climb/prune those, and school spring break is the perfect time for that.  (I value my old bones.  Ha, ha)

 

This particular Northern Spy is a root seedling that came up about 15’ away from the standard sized mother tree (planted circa 1918) which is now dead and gone 10 years.  During the 04-05 winter a mouse girdled the young tree, leaving only three, one inch strips of intact bark.  It has recovered admirably but puts on a slew of water sprouts each season, some as big as your thumb at the base.

 

I imagine this tree has access to the old trees root system and that must be very large.  It would need huge energy reserves to put up such large water sprouts.

 

I did bring the top back by about 1/3^rd when we realized mice had girdled it.  This was done through major limb removal, not minor pruning.

 

I am pruning to keep it low while also keeping it out of way of tractors, combines and implements that pass by it.  It is a standard tree and I have to keep a leash on it.  It is about 10-12’ tall now, bearing fruit, and I only encourage laterals at the top.

 

Later,

Tom

 

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From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Stephen Sadler
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 1:19 PM
To: 'North American Fruit Explorers'
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Northern Spy

 

When do you prune?  I see a lot in many types of apple trees that are winter pruned; summer pruning seems to decrease their numbers.

 

~ Stephen

 

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From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Olenio
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 6:10 AM
To: 'North American Fruit Explorers'
Subject: [NAFEX] Northern Spy

 

Hello,

 

Is Northern Spy known to have a lot of annual water sprouts?

 

I am amazed at the number of water sprouts and annual growth rate of these on Northern Spy.

 

Later,

Tom