Comments on: The Life of an Apple Tree

By: Hilary

Hilary — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:38:41 +0000

Hi Patrica and Jannie .. thanks for the thoughts .. I’d just like this tree to live – especially with the mud and sludge that’s swept through recently .. we’ve got the same weather here!

I just looked up in Google search: rootstock cultivation of apple tree .. this is the first from Cornell University …

http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/factsheets/ecogardening/appleroot.html

I’m sure you’ll find something ..

PS – I heard that a pear tree was cut down and burnt – yet rootstock was able to be obtained and used for regrowth .. so just don’t kill your apple baby yet!!

You’ve certainly the people of the earth engaged in your challenge!
Hilary´s last blog ..A is for Apple – an Apple a day keeps the doctor away …

By: Patricia

Patricia — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:08:02 +0000

Jannie,
Big wind and rain storm here last night…made me look at all the trees around me with new eyes…
then the street caved in and storm water started bubbling up heading towards our house….mud and yuck….I thought about how important trees are to drink up the water…

We are exploring restarting the tree from the root stock…folks are not well acquainted with how to….WSU extension agent researching for us…

By: Jannie Funster

Jannie Funster — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:24:57 +0000

Your tree has been on my mind. I came back here the other day and read all the comments, learned about how the apple tree is not grown from seed exactly but by hand-grafting. Hilary was amazing on this.

It sure is hard when a tree has to go, they have souls and personalities too. Such a tough decision to make. I trust you will trust yourself whatever you decide to do, as I know you will be acting out of love.

xo
Jannie Funster´s last blog ..3 Photos I Took 3 days Ago & 3 Photos I Took 5 years Ago

By: Patricia

Patricia — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:38:25 +0000

Hilary and Betsy,
Thank you for all your good information and links. I think we came up with some winning ideas here. I will just need to do lots of research about this…
I just used Honey Crisps in the picture for one of the recipes in the UNICEF book…

I got a phone number for a Washington State University Extension agent who knows how to do this work…need to call on a weekday..

Wow this is fun
Thank you for the wealth of info.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:36:11 +0000

Mama Zen,
Yep we know the sentimental value and the tug on the heart strings too…Sorry I missed your comment – happy to find it now…Thank you

By: Hilary

Hilary — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:03:30 +0000

Hi Betsy .. thanks for that – I’m on the south coast in England .. so American places are pretty vague Geography wise .. but live and learn – so I’d love to visit Deephaven and have a Haralson apple .. some day! I’ll llook out for the Honeycrisp too though – but obviously I support our 3,000+ english cultivars ..

It’s an interesting subject losing a tree of life – linking generations .. I’m sure Patricia and her partner will make the most sensible decision ..

I’m off to your sleepy November garden ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
Hilary´s last blog ..A is for Apple – an Apple a day keeps the doctor away …

By: Betsy Wuebker

Betsy Wuebker — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:35:29 +0000

Hi Hilary – You’re right the University of MN does have a large research department for apples. Pete and I drove past its facility yesterday on our way out to the farm. It is operated in conjunction with the MN Landscape Arboretum (where we were married, incidentally) west of Minneapolis. The challenge, originally, was to develop cold hardy varieties. Every year or two they come up with some new cultivars and then there is a naming contest. If you’ve eaten a Honeycrisp or Haralson apple, it came out of their work. Good fun!

The Haralson apple was developed by a Mr. Haralson who lived in a big yellow farmhouse with lots of gingerbread trim down the street from me in Deephaven, MN. Our neighborhood park used to be part of a truck farm there, and some of the old trees survive on a property across the street from the park, which used to be the larger orchard.

Here is a link that might help you, Patricia as you decide:
http://www.apples.umn.edu/
Betsy Wuebker´s last blog ..Down to Sleep: The November Garden

By: Hilary

Hilary — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:58:39 +0000

HI Patricia .. so pleased your partner is thinking ‘my way’ .. it’ll be really good news and I’m sure future generations will thank you.

Apples are a huge subject! Surprised me somewhat! Especially the part that you can’t plant a seed .. logical I suppose – I read somewhere that the University of Minnesota has a large research department for apples .. not sure if that’s your neck of the woods?

Well done on perservering with the ebook – it’ll be good and so well worth it .. learning curve, sweat and guts and all!

Have a good Sunday – Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
Hilary´s last blog ..A is for Apple – an Apple a day keeps the doctor away …

By: Patricia

Patricia — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:44:07 +0000

Jannie and Jannie,
I just might get to the 590th at the rate we are working on tree decision…Partner is actually liking Hilary’s suggestion of cut it down in a way to establish a new start from the root stock…I am researching…
and looking forward to the song…greatly
Patricia´s last blog ..Book Review: Traveling with Pomegranates ~Kidd & Taylor

By: Jannie Funster

Jannie Funster — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:58:12 +0000

Whoops, I meant 50th wedding anniversary.

Your 590th !!! Go, Patricia, Go! Well, you will get to that one too, of course but perhaps not on this realm we call Plantet Earth.
Jannie Funster´s last blog ..First Pictures With My New iPhone 3GS