I don’t suppose there is any way to get this one in Canada. It looks great.
Probably if someone sent this to be added to the USDA collection it then could be requested from them for import to Canada.
Does anyone have any observations to report on what the natural vigor of this clone is? I would suspect the heavy bearing would have a natural size controlling effect, but don’t want to assume. Does this seem to be one that would naturally fall into the dwarf, semi-dwarf or standard size category?
I ordered scion to graft, but if it naturally grows with either a semi-dwarf or dwarf habit I’ll plan to just bury the graft unions and get them onto their own roots for longevity (too many risks to apple trees here so I prefer those that can sucker and regrow true to type if original trunk is damaged).
Perfect. I might try to establish it own root then. Thanks!
On its own roots it got to 12 feet max size on the original tree. Most branches didn’t get over 9 feet in height. It could be pruned to be very small. The original tree was fairly small width. Just like the ones @39thparallel all about 10 -12 feet high and around 12’ max width but typically 8’.
That sounds like a great size for my location. Large enough to not be destroyed by deer (of course protection would still be needed when young), but small enough for easy harvest and management! Thanks for making sure this one got passed around Clark!
Do you by chance know what caused the original tree to die? Did it just exhaust itself?
It was on its own roots since it was a seedling in a less than ideal spot. The idea of taking backup grafts nearly always pays off. The roots on rootstocks are much stronger and more resistant to disease. Mike i think has these on mm111 which is a good rootstock in this area. They will stay smaller on 111. Ema 111 fights disease much better than seedlings.
Another tree that gets ridiculously loaded like that is Kerr crab apple. It is also a fairly compact tree. For whatever reason the juice comes our ruby red and tastes more like cranberry than apple.
My daughter doesn’t like apple cider but loves this one. She has been drinking from the gallon or so i pressed slowly to make it last and is already lamenting that it will soon be gone. I like to eat them fresh but i was told by her that these are strictly for juicing.
Another thing worth mentioning is when stored and grown right the Clarks crabapple stores for months. I can enjoy the apples until spring like i just did this one today. This is important to have an apple you can still be eating in march if stored in a pantry room. This is very useful because everyone knows the price and scarcity of good foods right now. If you cold storage store this apple it might keeps months longer. It keeps longer than any apple i have ever grown other than arkansas black.
Can I buy a scion from you please?
I dont sell scions and dont have extra wood at this time but there are lots of people who do have the apple and some have it for sale i think. If not for sale they would likely gladly trade with you.
I have nothing to trade with - we just moved and all I have is root stocks growing I am planning to graft next year.
Thanks @galinas will be happy you saw that. Mike sells them pretty fast i think. Years ago Mike propagated it from my original seedling before anyone even heard about it so @39thparallel orchard has lots of large trees of the crabapple now. He grows lots of rare fruits.
Can you please describe the taste?
Crisp, delicious, with a good balance of sweet and tart. Very additictive once you start eating them. Many crabapples like this are better than full sized apples.
Thanks, Clark. I’ve got some cuttings coming from 39th.