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Old 01-01-2010, 04:36 PM
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Remnard
Typical Buck
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Posts: 819
Default Crab apple trees

CRAB APPLES: Need medium to heavy soils, well drained and moist, Acidic soil 5.5-6.5PH.
Full sun preferred, but will tolerate light shade, but production will suffer some.
DO NOT fertilize the first year.
Keep at least a 2 foot perimeter weed free around the saplings first few years, until established.
Provide protection from Rabbits and deer, mice.
(I use Plantskydd repellent, works great, even keeps bucks from antler rubbing!)
Use cages and tree tubes for surefire protection.
Plant at least 10 feet apart in hedgerows.
Mulch with Hay, grass clippings, it will help retain moisture.
Do NOT use wood shavings, as they rot they will steal nitrogen from the soil.
Many ornamental crabs are persistent, which means they hold on to their fruit. This is a good thing for birds and ornamental winter beauty/interest, but not something you want from an apple that you want deer feeding on.
PRUNE IN LATE WINTER. Prune off all side branches that are not desired for permanent limbs.
BEST BETS: CRAVEN- WHITNEY- HUGHES - WISLIP

OTHER SPECIES Good for central and Northern US: SIBERIAN CRAB - SARGENT CRAB - MILL CRAB- TORINGO CRAB. SARGENT CRAB IS AVAILABLE FROM QDMA @ (800 209 DEER)

SOURCES: SPANDLE NURSERY (8005535771)
NWTF (800-THE-NWTF)

Good article on Apple trees for habitat enhancement
(Where most of the crab apple info comes from)
http://www.qdma.com/articles/details.asp?id=53

Last edited by Remnard; 01-01-2010 at 04:54 PM.
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