I had two apple trees on M7 pushed ~30 degrees off-kilter from strong winds and saturated ground. These trees are not uprooted. One is a graft that I planted two years ago (3rd leaf) and is currently ~6 ft tall and carrying some fruit. The other was purchased as a tree and also planted two years ago (~8-9 feet tall; light load of crab apples). I used boards to brace each of the trees in an upright position. More storms scheduled for tomorrow. Does anyone have recommendations (long and short-term) to regain the stability of these trees? Thanks in advance!
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I use 2-3" thick wooden stakes ( about 6-8 feet tall) driven into the ground and support the tree with bike tire inner tubes. It works for me better than using the wire supports. M-7’s will usually lean over time as well.
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Something similar happened to my apples on M7 a couple years ago. The ground was saturated and strong winds basically pushed them through the ground. The trees weren’t uprooted but I’m sure some roots were damaged.
What I did to help them out was use 3-4 heavy duty t-post per tree (6-7ft t-post). I pounded them deep and angled away from the tree. I had to use a come-along to winch the trees upright and then I tied them to the post to support and stabilize the tree. I used woven nylon duct hanging strap so I wouldn’t girdle the tree. ( https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-75-in-W-x-100-yd-Woven-Vinyl-Hanger-Strap-HS1-75WV/100396948 )
I removed the straps over winter and but used them for another growing season since I was leary of them toppling over again. This happened in 2016. The 2017 growing season the trees had lower than normal vigor but still produced fruit. This year the vigor is improved and they are still producing.
This is what they looked like after blowing over
And after I stabilized them
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Great job!
I’ve got four young M-7 trees and plan to train them to low branching to reduce the “sail” effect in wind. Maybe limit height to 7 or 8 feet. Will see if this improves stability, not sure it will as we get hurricanes and tropical storms coming through here once in a while. I hammered a 9 foot T post one foot from the trunk of each, with a soft woven strap around tree, just in case.
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