Dwarf - Braeburn and Gala are the only dwarf apple trees we carry. Maturity height is approximately 8' to 10'. Rootstock-Malling 26. These trees can be planted successfully in a tub. They are not self pollinating, another variety is necessary for pollination. Yield - Average 2 to 3 bushel.

2. What is a semi-dwarf tree?

Semi-Dwarf- 1 year approximately 10' to 12' at maturity, plant 15' to 20' apart, 2 varieties needed for pollination *(exceptions listed below), about 2 to 4 years to bear depending on variety and growing conditions (Northern Spy can take up to 7 years). All semi-dwarf apple trees, including compspurs, are grafted on dwarfing rootstock Malling VII. pH 6.6 to 6.8. Most varieties are hardy to about -20°. Some varieties are hardy to -30°, see **Most Hardy list below.

EXCEPTIONS:

Triploids -Baldwin, Red Stayman Winesap, Spigold, Jonagold, Mutsu,
RI Greening, Gravenstein, T. C. King. These varieties do not pollinate
other varieties and must have 2 other varieties of apple trees for pollination.

Multi grafted - 4 in 1 is self pollinating.

**MOST HARDY - Yellow Transparent, Chenango Strawberry, Cortland,
Gravenstein, Red Astrachan, Duchess of Oldenburg, McIntosh, Snow,
Wolf River, Wealthy, Seek No Further (Westfield), Freedom, Golden
Russet and Whitney Crabapple. These varieties are hardy to about -30°.

3. What is a compspur apple tree?

COMPSPUR APPLES - Apple taste & descriptions are the same as the regular semi-dwarf trees. However, the growing and the fruiting habits of compspur trees are different. Compspurs grow more compact and have stubby little branchlets called spurs which produce the apple crops. Also compspurs yield is usually more than the semi-dwarf trees. Rootstock - Malling VII. The spurring growth on the compspurs will dwarf the tree more so they tend to be not quite as tall at maturity as the other semi-dwarf trees. Maturity height is about 10' on an average. Compspurs are good for espalier (training on a fence or wall).

4. What causes a tree not to bear fruit?

FAILURE TO BEAR - Could be due to lack of pollination in poor weather during full-bloom period. At temperatures below 65 degrees, bees do very little flying. Use of Bee Scent is recommended. May be due to vigorous growth of foliage; cause of no fruit and formation. End shoots should grow 6 to 8 inches annually, if they grow 12 to 24 inches, trees are getting
too vigorous. Cut down on fertilizer. Failure to spray may cause leaves to shed in summer and tree is not able to set blossom buds.

5. What causes apples to split?

SPLIT APPLES - May be caused by wet weather.

6. What apples are good for applesauce?

SAUCE APPLES - Calville Blanc, Duchess of Oldenburg, Gravenstein, Idared, Jonafree, Lodi, Mutsu, Summer Rambo, Tompkins County King, Wagener, Red Astrachan, Wealthy, Yellow Delicious, Yellow Transparent.

7. How do I plant blueberries? | back to top

PLANTING - Set plants into broken up soil, about 4' apart in rows about 6' apart. Dig holes and plant as if you were planting an apple tree. Use no lime or no stable manure. Mixing 1 part peat to 1 part soil is suggested. Up to 2 non-burning planting tablets in the hole will aid later growth. At time of planting, use 1 cup of soil acidifier per square yard (3' x 3') of planting area. Mix soil acidifier evenly into soil that has been removed from the hole prepared for the plant. Then replace this treated soil into the hole.

8. How do I care for and prune blueberries?

CARE - Blueberries do best in a moist soil, sandier soil best and an acid soil. Should have at least 5 hours of sun a day, the more the better. Best results, mulch at least a depth of 6 inches. Mulching up to 1 foot is best. DO NOT CULTIVATE. Acid soil is a most critical requirement of blueberries. Use a soil acidifier at planting time. On growing plants, use 1 cup per square yard of planted area. Soil pH level should be 5.0 to 5.3 and may take more than 1 season of treatment to reach this level. PRUNING - For the first two years, do not prune. In the third year and after that, trim off 1/3 of the canes cutting out only the 3 year and older canes. Blueberries will bear fruit the next year on shoots that are new in the current year.

9. What causes no fruit on my grape vines? | back to top

NO FRUIT - May be due to incorrect pruning. If the wrong canes are pruned, vines won't bear fruit.

10. How much juice can I expect from my grapes?

JUICE/WINE YIELD - You can expect about 1 gallon of juice or wine from 12 Pounds of grapes.