The Brushpile

Looks like you are getting some good rain...
I need to get the rain gauge up. Crazy weather this Spring, to include a late snow, kept me from risking damage to the rain gauge. I just had the driest Winter I've ever seen, and I've lived in the desert, then tons of rain before the growing season, followed by weeks without rain.
 
last weekend I did a late season burn on an orchard food plot. The clover in the plot was choked out by what appeared to be Goose Grass, which died, leaving a thick thatch. Weed mats were pulled to keep fire away from fruit trees.

The plot was then burned, and remaining vegetation sprayed with glyphosate.

As seen here, the fire was hot, but I think the tree will survive.

 
The plot was planted in Red Clover.

The plot contains Pear, Apple, Crabapple, Chinese Chestnut, Dunstan Chestnut, Dwarf Chinkapin Oak, and a few Mexican Plums. This is a Mexican Plum grow from seed.
 
I sure hope that historic rains ends an 8 year drought. Seed has been planted and needs rain. I have yet to get one apple off 10 year old trees. The historic average is needed for fruit and nuts to form. It's looking great for now, thanks and think positive.
 
I had the coldest April in history. My no fail pear trees were snowed on while in bloom so there are almost no pears. This is the form on a Korean Giant/Olympic Pear, and it will have a few pears.

This is a Kieffer Pear. The damage is not blight, it's from leaves and blooms being snowed on. There will be no Kieffer pears this year.

Note the oriental has a column form, while this Kieffer is spreading.
 

This is deer candy/Strawberry Bush. This bush is planted in the yard where it's safe from deer. Throughout much of it's range, Strawberry Bush ahs been browsed to death!
 
I had the coldest April in history. My no fail pear trees were snowed on while in bloom so there are almost no pears. This is the form on a Korean Giant/Olympic Pear, and it will have a few pears.

This is a Kieffer Pear. The damage is not blight, it's from leaves and blooms being snowed on. There will be no Kieffer pears this year.

Note the oriental has a column form, while this Kieffer is spreading.

Same thing happened with pears here this year. Funny, because I know a guy who lives 1.5 hours north of me and he has pears. I guess we got the freeze at the wrong time.
 
Same thing happened with pears here this year. Funny, because I know a guy who lives 1.5 hours north of me and he has pears. I guess we got the freeze at the wrong time.
I have pears in a frost pocket by the river, that always have pears, but snow! I couldn't believe that it snowed so late, since I hardly ever get snow.

Sorry you had a late freeze too.
 
This is the orchard that I burned and planted in Red Clover. Dreaded Johnson Grass is growing in the middle of it, and another type of grass has also germinated, turning the plot green.

I have been blessed with rain. The clover has germinated. In a week or so I will spray a grass selective; I have Poast Plus.
 
This apricot has bloomed like this every year but has yet to produce, even though it's growing side by side with one just like it.
 
Trees look great Brush. These Mo rains are crazy. My trees are loving it. Couple questions.
How has your keifer pear held up over the years?
Seems I have heard of several guys having major fire blight issues. I am looking to graft a fairly large quantity of keifer and Korean Giants this winter and wanted feedback from another Missourian.
What pear varieties do you have for pollinating your korean?
I have read that keifer be a sufficient pollinator but just looking for first hand feedback.
Lastly would you have some scion available this winter for korean giant? I know your busy with you tracking endeavors these days so if you cant find time no worries. Would gladly pay you for your scions and shipping of course.
Thanks Jordan Selsor
 
I love your plot of fruits, nuts, and native shrubs. That's how I picture some of my future plots. I have the trees planted but that's it so far. I've wondered about burning on one of my apple orchards, your thread answers that question as well! currently that particular orchard strip is dominated with some type of clumpy growing grass.

Great updates Brushpile!
 
Trees look great Brush. These Mo rains are crazy. My trees are loving it. Couple questions.
How has your keifer pear held up over the years?
Seems I have heard of several guys having major fire blight issues. I am looking to graft a fairly large quantity of keifer and Korean Giants this winter and wanted feedback from another Missourian.
What pear varieties do you have for pollinating your korean?
I have read that keifer be a sufficient pollinator but just looking for first hand feedback.
Lastly would you have some scion available this winter for korean giant? I know your busy with you tracking endeavors these days so if you cant find time no worries. Would gladly pay you for your scions and shipping of course.
Thanks Jordan Selsor
My Kieffer Pears suffered blight following severe drought stress, but none died, and all fully recovered. Kieffer Pears like our climate and produce pears even in dry years.

Yes I will send scions, remind me before bud break next Spring.

I planted Korean and Kieffer almost exclusively, and have produced pears without fail.
 
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