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The last few entries are good examples of why
determining the identity of essentially nameless apples can be difficult.
None of the apples Lon mentioned are likely candidates to be 'Pie Maker' in a
true zone 4 climate---none being particularly hardy. Anywhere in Iowa is
worth trying zone 5 hardy trees as long as one is sheltered from drying winds,
though.
Since the owners of the 'Pie Maker' are elderly, if
you can identify the tree they can get a good head start by buying one.
Not every apple grower makes it to ninety, though growing fruit trees seems to
help with longevity. Gather all the information from the couple you
can about the fruit (flavor,size, color, season, keeping ability, disease
resistance) and tree characteristics (size and age, growth habit) and any
history of the origin of the tree that they know. Armed with that data you
can make an educated guess--or list members could make better guesses.
Even if we're wrong, the couple will still get fruit before the new graft will
bear. What's 25 bucks?
Steve Herje, Lone Rock, WI USDA zone
3-4
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