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Post by cranberry on Feb 24, 2007 23:47:44 GMT 1
i have what looks like a very old apple tree in my new garden. should i chop it down and start with a new one. my friend said it looked very woody and old.
cranberry
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Post by Sleepy on Feb 24, 2007 23:48:56 GMT 1
Hi Cranberry,
Is it still cropping well?
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Post by cranberry on Feb 24, 2007 23:50:09 GMT 1
i don't know. this is my new garden but it does look very old and twisty.
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 24, 2007 23:50:51 GMT 1
You can often renovate an old tree, careful pruning can restore it to health. Is your friend an apple expert?
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Post by cranberry on Feb 24, 2007 23:53:37 GMT 1
no! i'm not either!
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Post by Sleepy on Feb 24, 2007 23:55:23 GMT 1
That doesn't necessarily matter Cranberry. I would wait until later this year to see how it performs. Then you will have a better idea as to whether you should leave it, prune it, or dump it.
Apple trees can live to be very old. But trees do have a finite life.
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 24, 2007 23:57:25 GMT 1
Im not an artist or very good with paint programs but Ive found a good site which will illustrate the pruning technique. hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1351.htm Winter is the best time to do it too. I wouldnt chop down a tree unless I was sure it was seriously diseased. |
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Post by cranberry on Feb 24, 2007 23:57:28 GMT 1
how do i know if I can cook or eat the apples? is it something to do with the colour of them?
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Post by cranberry on Feb 25, 2007 0:01:21 GMT 1
sorry, i meant, red for eating and green apples for cooking.
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 25, 2007 0:02:01 GMT 1
Identifying an apple variety is not easy. It involves piecing together clues such as the fruit's use, whether dessert or culinary, its season of ripening and appearance.
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Post by cranberry on Feb 25, 2007 0:03:01 GMT 1
so a red apple doesn't mean that you can eat it then?
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Post by Sleepy on Feb 25, 2007 0:08:19 GMT 1
Cranberry, please bear in mind that this is a community. You are not helping yourself by just firing off questions curtly.
We would like you to come here and ask questions, but I urge you to try to endear youself a little bit.
The occasional please, thankyou. And sharing what you have already found out that you have found interesting in your garden.
If you want to use this forum please make an effort.
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Post by cranberry on Feb 25, 2007 0:32:06 GMT 1
i'm sorry, what do you mean? in fact, this is the second time i've said sorry  I thought i could ask questions and they would be answered by more knowledgable people than myself. that is what i was told. i think you have been very rude and unwelcoming. i don't understand what i have done to upset you. |
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 25, 2007 0:38:22 GMT 1
Cranberry perhaps you have misunderstood the nature of this forum, we are all keen gardeners but we do appreciate that you are not as yet .
Sometimes the tone of a question is as important as the content. You seem to be testing us, and no-one appreciates that.
Lets start again, Hi, Im sweetleaf, I grow all types of fruit and veg, and am a keen wildlife gardener, how about you?
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Post by cranberry on Feb 25, 2007 0:40:07 GMT 1
i'm sorry, maybe i'm just not as clever as you. i might not speak the same but i still love plants as much as you all do.
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 25, 2007 0:41:25 GMT 1
Of course you do, or why else would you be here?
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Post by cranberry on Feb 25, 2007 0:42:01 GMT 1
and why would i test you? you are supposed to help me with the answers that i don't know.
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 25, 2007 0:46:38 GMT 1
I dont know. We will help if you are sincere, I have an interest in promoting gardening amongst all age groups.
You say you have hardly any plants at all, have you managed to identify those you do have?
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Post by cranberry on Feb 25, 2007 1:20:25 GMT 1
i don't understand. why would i be asking questions about trees and gardening if i wasn't sincere.
i don't understand why you are all so unwelcoming.
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Post by plocket on Feb 25, 2007 11:15:14 GMT 1
If I can jump in too, it's absolutely fine to ask questions Cranberry, and we'll be more than happy to try and answer if we can, but we are not "supposed" to answer anything if we can't or don't feel like it. You are very welcome here but this sort of forum is a give and take set up - give a bit of yourself by being friendly, and people here will respond to that.
With regard to your apple tree I think the best advice has been given - leave the tree and see what you get later this year. If and when you get apples you can taste one - you'll soon know if it's nice and sweet. As a very rough rule, cooking apples tend to be larger and slightly less uniform than eating apples.
And the apple blossom will also attract insects into your garden!
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 25, 2007 11:18:38 GMT 1
Mmm...I can feel an undercurrant here..but would just like to second Plocket's comments very strongly. I'm quite sure all are very welcome here and it's always nice to hear about other gardeners and their plans. We all have to learn as we go along even after many years...so kepp posting please Cranberry and tell us about your plans.
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Post by cranberry on Feb 26, 2007 22:34:01 GMT 1
i think i will just dig my apple tree out! best to start from scratch!
cranberry
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 26, 2007 22:36:34 GMT 1
That would be a terrible shame as it will be blooming in a short while and youll miss the flowers and the fruit. An apple tree in winter is not a spectacular sight, but in the spring.....well its lovely.  |
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Post by cranberry on Feb 26, 2007 22:38:45 GMT 1
sweetleaf, it looks very spooky! quite twisted and looks as if it should be taller, if you know what i mean. I think it must be very very old and has a huge thick trunk and branches but is only about 10feet tall.
cranberry
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Post by cranberry on Feb 26, 2007 22:40:59 GMT 1
i shall let it blossom first though sweetleaf!
cranberry
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