"David Hare-Scott" wrote in
:

Winters_Lackey wrote:

Then today I got my replacement tree from Gurney's for the one that
died (a Goldrush). For some reason, they threw in an extra free
tree, a Pixie Crunch. Lovely apples, but the two I have are
impossible to keep totally free of rust because there are lots of
cedar trees on this block.

Have you guessed where I'm going? Yep, I took the tree to the park
and planted it. I am the guerilla gardener.

I don't know apples from apples...

It may just be a matter of good customer relations since one died
but unless you have other apples on your place or near your
property... you may need the other as a pollinator variety so your
favoured tree will set fruit or will fruit more abundantly.

I'd suggest checking it out ASAP.


There is a Liberty tree about a quarter of a mile from the new tree,
and that is a good pollinator for both Pixie Crunch and GoldRush.

You would be very lucky, usual practice is to plant the pollinator
next to the target. You are counting on a significant number of bees
visiting one then the other without a nest return in between.

If the tree flowers, but sets no fruit, that could be a plus for the first
couple of years. It will allow the tree to become established before
anyone realizes that it is a fruit tree. There are those who, for silly
reasons, have chosen not to plant fruit trees in the park. Like I said,
guerilla gardening.

One solution is to plant a pollinator in the little wooded are nearby. I
can do that pretty much for free, as I can grow the pollinator from seed
taken from the tree (a Liberty) that (I assume) pollinates my two at home.
I'm in this for the long haul. If this thing doesn't have apples for the
first few years--or even ever--no loss. The tree was free.

Other apple news, my Obelisk apple finally has blooms after 5 years.

D





--
--Bryan
"The 1960's called. They want their recipe back."
--Steve Wertz in rec.food.cooking 4-20-2009