Crabapples for late-December and January

[CAS_HNTR]

I want to add a few later (and latest!) crabapples scattered about the property and want to hear some opinions. I know there are some "tried and true" speciess like dolgos, but what others should I be looking at that I can count on for food during our muzzle season around Jan 5-10?

I am a bit concerned about some of the varieties as it appears that late drop also means they never drop, and just feed the birds!

 

[THE LLC]

Hanging that late would subject them to feezing and turning to mush wouldn't it?

 

[catscratch]

I've read that deer don't care if they are mush (for the most part, some crabs just aren't preferred from the start). I have a Dolgo that held into December this yr. It's apples were basically mush on the tree. One day I went out and they were gone. I don't know what ate them but they seemed to like them as there were no traces left.

I'm curious as to what you find out. I would love to have some late hanger's too.

 

[Native Hunter]

Check with Northern Whitetail Crabs. They claim to have trees that will do what you are looking for. I planted 5 last spring, so it will be a few years before I know.

 

[Sam16]

I am going to have to ear mark this place for next spring. If what they say is true, these crabapples and apple trees need to be mixed in with all wildlife orchards in my very novice opinion!

Not many varieties drop as late as Northern Whitetail Crabs claim, to my knowledge.

 

[Sam16]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I have some questions for you Native Hunter. Since I visited the Northern Whitetail Crab website I can't help but think I should cancel my order with Willis Orchard for October drop apple trees in favor of these later drop, disease resistant that this place offers.

Did the trees arrive in good condition? Any experience with customer service?

 

[DrDirtNap]

The trees I received from NWC were excellent...some of the best I've received from anyone over the years. They were larger caliper trees with good roots. All of my trees survived and are growing well.

 

[j-bird]

Just for ease.

if these trees live up to the advertising they could be awesome......may be on the shopping list for next year.

http://www.northernwhitetailcrabs.com/

 

[CAS_HNTR]

Sam

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I have some questions for you Native Hunter. Since I visited the Northern Whitetail Crab website I can't help but think I should cancel my order with Willis Orchard for October drop apple trees in favor of these later drop, disease resistant that this place offers.

Did the trees arrive in good condition? Any experience with customer service?

I looked about a month ago and they were pretty much sold out of everything for the year...just FYI

 

[Native Hunter]

They won't tell you what the rootstock is, which bothers some people. I must admit that it bothers me a little, because I'm someone who wants all the important fact. But, I took the plunge anyway. I can say that the first year growth was awesome on all 5 trees.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I have some questions for you Native Hunter. Since I visited the Northern Whitetail Crab website I can't help but think I should cancel my order with Willis Orchard for October drop apple trees in favor of these later drop, disease resistant that this place offers.

Did the trees arrive in good condition? Any experience with customer service?

The customer service was great. The guy spent over 30 minutes on the phone with me answering my questions and discussing my needs. The trees were outstanding and arrived in great condition. The growth this year was as good as I have ever seen from any trees.

It's hard to say how they will do this much further south, but I was willing to take a chance. Also, I can't vouch for any of their marketing claims at this point - however, as of now I am a happy customer.

 

[Sam16]

Sam


I looked about a month ago and they were pretty much sold out of everything for the year...just FYI

It says they are sold out for the Spring of 2017. I am hoping they just havent updated their website with the 2018 stock yet.

 

[weekender21]

Called them today, they haven’t updated the 2018 list. They have a few changes this year but will have a full inventory. Sounds like they sell out pretty fast so you might want to Pre order if you know what you want.


Sent from my iPhone using Deer Hunter Forum

 

[Fish]

Hey! I think they are selling my Lemondrop tree!

 

[Worm]

They won't tell you what the rootstock is, which bothers some people. I must admit that it bothers me a little, because I'm someone who wants all the important fact. But, I took the plunge anyway. I can say that the first year growth was awesome on all 5 trees.


The customer service was great. The guy spent over 30 minutes on the phone with me answering my questions and discussing my needs. The trees were outstanding and arrived in great condition. The growth this year was as good as I have ever seen from any trees.

It's hard to say how they will do this much further south, but I was willing to take a chance. Also, I can't vouch for any of their marketing claims at this point - however, as of now I am a happy customer.

Hey Native Hunter
Im curious as whether you planted any or all of the grafts beneath the soil.
FYI I just planted all 12 of my m111 trees from Century Farm Orchards about 3 inches deep. I have plenty of semi dwarfs and have been on a standard size tree kick for a while.
I know per past post that you have done the same on some of your plantings.
Thanks
Worm

 

[Worm]

To add to the above ^^^^
Over the years my m111 (semi dwarfs) have done ok but my healthiest and best trees are my large trees. It appears that I planted a few too deep and mistakenly turned them into standard size. I wished that I would have planted them all too deep. My semi dwarfs produced a few years earlier than the full size . Now that I have apples dropping, all of my future plantings will be standards.

 

[Native Hunter]

Hey Native Hunter
Im curious as whether you planted any or all of the grafts beneath the soil.
FYI I just planted all 12 of my m111 trees from Century Farm Orchards about 3 inches deep. I have plenty of semi dwarfs and have been on a standard size tree kick for a while.
I know per past post that you have done the same on some of your plantings.
Thanks
Worm

On those particular trees I didn't put the grafts below grade. After talking with him and reading the marketing information, it appeared that his rootstock will produce a fairly large tree without doing that. However, on a good number of other trees planted in recent years, I have been burying the graft deep in order to produce a full sized tree.

 

[Native Hunter]

To add to the above ^^^^
Over the years my m111 (semi dwarfs) have done ok but my healthiest and best trees are my large trees. It appears that I planted a few to deep and mistakenly turned them into standard size. I wished that I would have planted them all too deep. My semi dwarfs produced a few years earlier than the full size . Now that I have apples dropping, all of my future plantings will be standards.

It sounds like you and I have very close to the same plan going on.

 

[Worm]

I agree . It took me a few years and plenty of mistakes to get to this point . Im retired now, so I have more time to create more work for myself ,lol.
My farm is in Virginia, in between Richmond and Charlottesville Its a 150 acres with approx 1/2 in hardwoods and 1/2 pasture.
Ive been here since 1994. I started putting in food plots and planting apple and pear trees around 2004 or so.
My food plots are fairly simple. Clover and chicory for warm weather and Cereal Rye and Winter Wheat for cool weather.
It works pretty well. Ive played around with corn and turnips. I found that the deer will hit my turnips well after hunting season.
Occasionally ( mainly due to expense),Ive broadcast an acre or two of corn. The deer definitely mow it down but Ive found that the wheat and rye keep them around just as much. Every year that Ive planted corn , we usually see a bear or two. I just like to watch them.
I grew up in the suburbs of Richmond and started fishing at a young age. My Dad loved to fish but never hunted. I started hunting with friends when I was around 12 or 13. I was hooked. I now have children and grandchildren . My son and one of my grandsons love to hunt also.
The big turning point for me was buying a reliable tractor. I bought an old piece of junk right after I moved here but it was always broken down.When I finally bought a new tractor ( 45 horsepower) my plans started coming together.
Anyway , Im rambling, thats my 5 minute bio.
I really enjoy this forum . I learn so much from you guys.
Ive tried to post a profile pic but it just keeps buffering. My internet is so slow at home. I might need to try it when Im at another location with better service.
Worm

 

[Mennoniteman]

I agree . It took me a few years and plenty of mistakes to get to this point . Im retired now, so I have more time to create more work for myself ,lol.
My farm is in Virginia, in between Richmond and Charlottesville Its a 150 acres with approx 1/2 in hardwoods and 1/2 pasture.
Ive been here since 1994. I started putting in food plots and planting apple and pear trees around 2004 or so.
My food plots are fairly simple. Clover and chicory for warm weather and Cereal Rye and Winter Wheat for cool weather.
It works pretty well. Ive played around with corn and turnips. I found that the deer will hit my turnips well after hunting season.
Occasionally ( mainly due to expense),Ive broadcast an acre or two of corn. The deer definitely mow it down but Ive found that the wheat and rye keep them around just as much. Every year that Ive planted corn , we usually see a bear or two. I just like to watch them.
I grew up in the suburbs of Richmond and started fishing at a young age. My Dad loved to fish but never hunted. I started hunting with friends when I was around 12 or 13. I was hooked. I now have children and grandchildren . My son and one of my grandsons love to hunt also.
The big turning point for me was buying a reliable tractor. I bought an old piece of junk right after I moved here but it was always broken down.When I finally bought a new tractor ( 45 horsepower) my plans started coming together.
Anyway , Im rambling, thats my 5 minute bio.
I really enjoy this forum . I learn so much from you guys.
Ive tried to post a profile pic but it just keeps buffering. My internet is so slow at home. I might need to try it when Im at another location with better service.
Worm

Crop your picture so that the size is smaller and it will load.

 

[Sam16]

Well I made the change. I canceled my order from Willis Orchard (I was notified of their terrible reviews and paid the 10% order charge to cancel) so that I could order from Northern Whitetail Crabapples. I spent about 20 min talking to Terry who owns the place and he seemed like a great dude. He allowed me to put trees on reserve without paying, until I got my money back from Willis. I tried to the pry the rootstock out of him for his trees, but no avail. We had a good laugh about it though.

I ordered the following to plant in the spring...

2 of the 30-06 - Standard Crabapple, LATE season drop crabapple, December January
2 of the Crossbow - Standard Crabapple, Fall drop, looks a lot like Dolgo, early season
2 of the Droptine - Standard Crabapple, Slow drop starting early fall through late season
2 of the Sheepnose - Standard Apple - Slow drop into January
2 of the Gray Ghost - Standard Apple - Russian Apple - Starts in October and through December

I am excited! I already have several early droppers planted in the orchard I am working on. Liberty, Goldrush, and Arkansas Black are in their second year so hopefully this should be a good mix with plenty of apples hitting the ground from late September through January in 4 years