I found this very old apple tree ( I think ) on my property. I've never seen it before because it was hidden within some nice oaks, madrone, and pines. My plan was to re-claim it and get it some sun but I was told even if I could get it to fruit the apples would probably taste woody because the tree is 50 yrs or so. Its such a beautiful gnarly thing. You know how they get without being pruned. Also I'm feeling guilty about cutting down perfectly good trees around it. So I guess what I'm asking do apples taste bad from very old trees?....Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), April 11, 2000

Answers

Years ago I moved to an old homestead that had been neglected for years and I discovered old apple trees growing there. I don't know how old they were but they were obviously elderly judging by their appearance. I gave them a radical pruning, fertilized, and cleaned up around them. That summer they leafed out beautifully and one bloomed. The next summer the other two did. The apples were not perfect to look at or big, but tasted great and were plentiful. When I moved they still were doing fine.

-- Marci (ajourend@libby.org), April 11, 2000.

Instead of cutting down the other trees around it, what are the possibilites of pruning some branches to allow more sunlight in? From what I understand, some trees need to be pruned certain times of the year (depending on where you're from). I'm from Wisconsin so we do ours in the fall or winter. Maybe you can ask someone who knows. We always paint the ends we cut off to prevent bugs from entering the tree. Just a thought.

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), April 11, 2000.

Hi Kirk, I've never heard that old apple trees have woody fruit. That doesn't mean that it's not so, I've just never experienced it. We've rejuvenated 12 OLD apple trees so far. Most of them were seedlings sprouted from dropped apples, and scattered over our wooded property. We didn't prune too much off at one time. Remove water sprouts, dead or diseased limbs, crossed limbs and any that are growing into the center of the tree. Removing limbs from other trees that are too close is good advice. After you see what kind of apples you will have you can decide whether or not to cut big trees down.

Even if the apples aren't of the best quality, they will still make good jelly, sauce or cider. And if all else fails you have supplied wildlife with good food.

For all kinds of information go to www.usda.gov/1700/statepartners/usa.htm. From there you can click on any state for their cooperative extension information. Minnesota has very good info; and I clicked randomly on Kansas, did a 'quick search for "pruning apple trees" and got lots of good responses. Our old apple trees are doing very well now and some are producing beautiful apples. It's worth the effort!

-- Peg (jnjohnsn@pressenter.com), April 11, 2000.

Somehow I managed to eliminate 2 very important letters from that address. reeusda.gov/1700/statepartners/usa.htm Sorry.

-- Peg (jnjohnsn@pressenter.com), April 11, 2000.

Thank you guys!! Ya thats a good plan to prune all the trees and get some sun then take it from there. I'm so dern excited! what a find.....Kirk....P.S Thanks for the sites Peg

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), April 12, 2000.

Lots of those old apple trees have darn good fruit. Plus you know it is a tough old tree. Just don't over prune it. Actually you should have pruned it already, about the time the snow melts in your area. If the tree has started to bud out pretty well, wait. You could nip a few water sprouts, but in general give it til next year. Spend your effort this year taking some manure and/or compost out to it.

When you do prune it, look it over carefully from all sides so you get an idea of what has to go, then cut out a scant third of the waste. Remember this is an old tree and any tree is shocked by massive pruning. Ideally wait several years before going after the next third you want out. Once a branch gets 3-4 inches across, it takes years and a lot of energy for the tree to heal it back over. Some years later, the last third.

Some extra food and water, and a bit of thinning of the surrounding trees should give it a good boost. Remember, lots of fruit trees, especially older ones, fruit cyclically. This may be the tree's off year so give it a few years before you decide whether or not it is worth the effort. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), April 15, 2000.

An aside first - glad to hear from you Gerbil. Secondly, there are old trees, and there are old trees. We bought a 200 yr old house here in Maine, and among the flora were several apple trees. Some were actually good apple trees, and others just something that had grown from an apple seed. Apples are generally propogated by scions - the "shoots" of established trees. Those that you see offered by nurseries are scions grafted to root stock. Old trees - prune judiciously, and test an apple or 2 for taste. Like it? Bring the tree back. It could have been a good variety neglected. Or it may have been a volunteer that is worthless and has it's highest and best use as firewood. I always try to bring back an old tree, but have found only 1 of many to actually be a good apple. My advice is to give them all a try, but depend upon semi-dwarfs for your orchard. They're easier to deal with and quite productive! GL.

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), April 15, 2000.