Apple tree holding apples in December???

[j-bird]

Ok - I don't have a picture to prove it, but on my drive into work this morning I swear I saw an apple tree in a guys yard that was still holding apples. Now that seems a bit odd to me. They appear to be full size apples, but I would only assume they wouldn't be any good as we have had some decent frosts already and even cold enough temps to create thin layers of ice in water puddles.

Part of me is VERY curious about what this apple could be. I am considering stopping by the place and see if they will allow me to snip a few branches for grafting.

Anybody know what this apple could be? I will obviously ask the owner but I would fully expect them to not know.

 

[Native Hunter]

There are several possibilities. Lots of apples ripen very late, and some hang pretty tight. Pears are the same way. There is a wild pear at the edge of my yard still holding 1/3 to 1/2 of its fruit.

Some apple possibilities are:

Mattamuskeet
Stark (Winter King)
Rockingham Red
Arkansas Black
Terry Winter
But there are many other possibilities too.

 

[Neahawg]

I've only heard of one named variety which is winter Jon that claims it can hold into Dec, it's a green apple so no idea if it's the same one, in fact I would say I doubt it is more likely it is a Seedling.

 

[Neahawg]

Well scratch that native knows more then me! Lol I thought all of those would be dropped by Nov

 

[Native Hunter]

Well scratch that native knows more then me! Lol I thought all of those would be dropped by Nov

The latest ripening apple I've ever heard of is Kenner Seedling. I've heard of people picking apples from the tree in late December.

Most of the ones I mentioned first would probably have dropped most fruit by now, but on full sized trees, I'm sure some could still be holding. There are also varieties that sometimes don't easily drop and will hang until overripe. Driving by it would be hard to see that. It would take a close inspection.

 

[Native Hunter]

Picture taken just a few days ago:

 

[Fish]

Picture taken just a few days ago:

Is that a Keaners Seedling? Thats impressive!

 

[Native Hunter]

If the owner does know what the apple variety is, it will be easy to research the other attributes of the cultivar if you go to the right sources. While we can already see that it has a late drop which is very desirable, also ask him about whether or not it has been sprayed or given any special care. If planted in a wildlife planting, that will be important to know.

Is that a Keaners Seedling? Thats impressive!

No, but it's the same color as that apple. This is the wild pear I mentioned.

Now, you might ask. "... why don't you graft and propagate that pear?" The reasons are simple. While this pear might be good for deer, it is not a good tasting pear for human consumption. I already have two December dropping pears planted (Spring 14, not fruited yet) that are also good for human consumption, and they are bulletproof in disease resistance. So while this one is impressive looking, I have better pears planted and don't really intend to do anything with this one. I think it will get whacked when the bulldozers come through for the new road. I can't tell for sure if its just inside or just outside the line.

 

[j-bird]

The tree I saw is in a guys front yard. No other obvious apples around but appears to be a mature tree. I'll get some pics some time and maybe pull and apple as well. Can;t wait to have that conversation. "Hay buddy, you care if I ask you about your tree?" I'm likely to get shot! I would take some pics from the road, but that's almost just as creepy!!!! I noticed it had apples during the summer, but didn't pay any attention as it was just another apple tree. Apples in December - that got my attention. Man....the crazy stuff we do for habitat stuff!

 

[Turkey Creek]

We have one here as well. Just saw it a couple of days ago in the little town I live in. Still covered in average sized red apples. I know it is a tree that was planted in the last 20 years. I know the owner so I might try and get a closer look at it.

 

[MarkDarvin]

The tree I saw is in a guys front yard. No other obvious apples around but appears to be a mature tree. I'll get some pics some time and maybe pull and apple as well. Can;t wait to have that conversation. "Hay buddy, you care if I ask you about your tree?" I'm likely to get shot! I would take some pics from the road, but that's almost just as creepy!!!! I noticed it had apples during the summer, but didn't pay any attention as it was just another apple tree. Apples in December - that got my attention. Man....the crazy stuff we do for habitat stuff!

Be sure you get close enough to find out if he's got a dog or a trail camera in the yard. If it goes south quickly, you'll have to go in after dark and help that guy give back to the environment without his knowledge.

 

[Familytradition]

The local post office still has 2 trees holding apples.


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[j-bird]

I own up to being a bit "off" as it is so, I'll see if I can't catch someone outside sometime and go from there. I may even actually just knock on the door. I prefer to NOT be food for fido, shot at or having the sheriff show up at my door........it's an apple tree......I'm weird.....not crazy!!!

 

[Fish]

I own up to being a bit "off" as it is so, I'll see if I can't catch someone outside sometime and go from there. I may even actually just knock on the door. I prefer to NOT be food for fido, shot at or having the sheriff show up at my door........it's an apple tree......I'm weird.....not crazy!!!

Not crazy..... i had a guy stop out in front of the house a few years ago. I was checking out a roadside tree planting on the Home 10. He said, "hey man, I want to know how you got all these trees to grow out here". Im sure he noticed the smile on my face. And boy was i happy to talk trees.

 

[Familytradition]

I'm glad that I'm not the first guy to pull up and tell someone that I like their tree. Most people sure do think you are nuts for wanting a cutting, info, nuts, or fruit off of it. I manage maintenance for office buildings for a living now; one of the building managers sure thought that I was nuts when I was inspecting the columnar English oak out back for acorns!


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[Native Hunter]

Be sure you get close enough to find out if he's got a dog or a trail camera in the yard. If it goes south quickly, you'll have to go in after dark and help that guy give back to the environment without his knowledge.

The Fifth Edition of the Encyclopedia of Practical Ninja Skills recommends that for stealing apple scions to dress in a tight black spandex suit with a ninja mask and slither like an invisible phantom through the darkness. It's better to go late at night once everyone is asleep, but be sure to carry some throwing stars just in case.

 

[Buckly]

It's not just the variety that is a factor. I always have a bunch of trees that hold late. Some of these trees start dropping in October and continue right into December. They are just fully mature, full size trees that produce tons of apples. I have concluded though that as far as deer go it doesn't matter when they drop. If they produce tons and tons apples the deer simply can't keep up. With our winters here even if all those apples hit the ground early they will eventually be eaten. The deer here don't mind mushy apples at all.

 

[Native Hunter]

It's not just the variety that is a factor. I always have a bunch of trees that hold late. Some of these trees start dropping in October and continue right into December. They are just fully mature, full size trees that produce tons of apples. I have concluded though that as far as deer go it doesn't matter when they drop. If they produce tons and tons apples the deer simply can't keep up. With our winters here even if all those apples hit the ground early they will eventually be eaten. The deer here don't mind mushy apples at all.

^^^^ This.
And that is not the only positive attribute to full sized trees. There are many other great attributes, and some that deal with why disease resistance/tolerance is better too. I had a thread about this on the other forum, and caused some of the "spray addicts" to have a mental hysterectomy.

It was a good lesson for them in how they didn't know as much as they thought they did, and why I only listen to people who grow apples that support life instead of those who grow apples that require life support.

 

[j-bird]

The Fifth Edition of the Encyclopedia of Practical Ninja Skills recommends that for stealing apple scions to dress in a tight black spandex suit with a ninja mask and slither like an invisible phantom through the darkness. It's better to go late at night once everyone is asleep, but be sure to carry some throwing stars just in case.

This isn't trick-or-treat! You guys are going to get me into trouble.....me a ninja.....I would look like Chris Farley in American Ninja!

 

[Neahawg]

This isn't trick-or-treat! You guys are going to get me into trouble.....me a ninja.....I would look like Chris Farley in American Ninja!

Lol so would I!