Depending on the soil I've had 3-4 feet of growth per year. You should expect at least 1-2 feet. The deer browse the new vegetation when the trees are small. When the tree is mature the fruit is the main draw but I do still loosesome of thenew growth that the deer can reach. The trees will reproduce very well if the seed has passed through a bird or animal. It needs the stomach acid to scarify the seed coating. Birds feeding on my trees have planted new seedlings under my grape wires and under other trees that they land on.

With my varieties the trees fruit from the end of June to the end of August. That fits them in nicely as a food source until the apples start to ripen.

Here's and example of the trees and fruit that I've put in:

http://www.grimonut.com/catalog.php?catID=68

Dan O.