North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["JAMES ELIE" <tomelzear@earthlink.net>]

If you're looking for the apple trees with the best chances of survival in your area, the Kazakhstani apple collection of the USDA in Geneva may be your best bet.  There are apple trees in their collection that are described as growing in very xerophytic conditions.  Some are described as growing in areas where no apple should be growing.  If you email Phillip Forsline, he and his staff may be able to help you with some accessions that may be tough enough to survive your area. Of course, the apple quality itself may not be that impressive but getting a few apple trees established be just be a first step.  They may see it as an interesting challenge.

 

Best of Luck,

 

Jim Elie

Green Bay WI

zone 4/5

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: tic-toc

To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org

Sent: 4/29/2009 10:53:59 AM

Subject: [NAFEX] high altitude apple? even crazier apricot idea?

Nafex folks!

New subscriber here. I'm much better in the woods (Love mushroom hunting) than anything electrical. But need advice so will try this.

 

Grew up in a Great central Illinois woods. Spent most adulthood at ski area Colorado. Moved 10 years ago to Colorado foothills, which while not much lower in elevation, has wider biodiversity. Ponderosa pine, aspen, rosehip rose, poentilla, and a native currant are predominate plants. Coyotes, ravens, & possibly turkey vultures seem to outnumber us! This area famous for nasty "wyoming" winter winds. Local joke is we never know the seasonal high gust---as machines break around 109 to 111. I would venture Colorado foothills MUCH dryer than even the locals realize. Gets 12-16 inches of moisture all year. Majority of it here comes during wet spring. Daily spring snow/rain mix from late March thru first week of June.  On the other hand... have wonderful late fall---daytime warmer than real Colorado mountains west of us.

 

Last year found apple/crab apple tree at 8370 altitude on Forest Service land! Its protected by rock face, and seasonal creek right below it. All sorts of local thoughts as to whether a "saddle tramp tree", or maybe a ccc camp worker, or early settler put it there.

 

So,... this has me dreaming of trying apples on protected part of homesite?!? Say above my seasonal pond, wind shaded by house above? Maybe high altitude sun too intense, needs partial pine shade?

 WHAT DO YOU FOLKS THINK?

Done all sorts of internet searches... found interesting Canadian plains up to zone 2 hardy apple varieties---but can not find comparable high altitude example. What IS the highest recorded fruit trees... anyone track this?

 

Then also... read wonderful book, Greg Mortenson's "Three Cups of Tea". He mentions irrigated apricots that are at high altitude, windy, nasty winter, alkaline Pakistan. Though think spring differant and summer daytime hotter than here. My internet searching finds nothing available comparable---"china' or "manchurian" are not even close to central asia variety? again, WHAT DO YOU FOLKS THINK?

 

THANKS for taking time for my dreaming,

a foothills druid,

    jody 

 

p.s. Not sure understand this site. Can NOT find archives or web page of past discussions?