Which apple trees?
Contributors to this thread:General Topic
From: Dale06
29-Sep-24
For the purpose of attracting deer, which apple trees would you plant in Minnesota? Thanks
From: Two Feathers
29-Sep-24
I would chose an apple tree that drops their apples later in the year. I've seen some trees with apples still hanging on and snow on the ground.
From: t-roy
29-Sep-24
I’d suggest checking with orchard growers or nurseries in your area, Dale. They can tell which varieties do the best in your area, plus which varieties ripen later, stay on the tree longer, etc. Crabapples do pretty well, too. I’d also suggest that you plant semi-dwarf trees at a minimum, and standard size trees would be best.
From: jmiller
29-Sep-24
Dolgo crabapple, haralson, prairie spy, midwest crabapple, chestnut crabapple, whitney crabapple
From: JohnMC
29-Sep-24
What kind fell on Isaac Newton's head? I'd go with those.
From: SD
29-Sep-24
What t-roy said! Call local nurseries. Tell them you want late droppers that are highly disease resistant for your area. Then make sure you protect them with cages and window screens for the trunk. Do you have bears?
From: Dale06
30-Sep-24
An occaisonal bear, yes. See one on game cam 2-3 times a year.
From: craigmcalvey
30-Sep-24
Crabapples seem to be the most maintenance free for me in zone 4. I love chestnut crabs but the drop in September for me. Dolgo drops in august and September. I’m adding some Kerr next year as they hold well and are maintenance free. I’ve had good luck with liberty apples as well. My goal is a spray free orchard scenario. I also have kieffer pear. The Kerr crabs are coming from blue hill nursery. Might check out his web site. He’s very responsive to questions. I’ve also purchase from Morse Nursey but I will not buy from them again. Stock didn’t die but isn’t nearly as vigorous as it was billed to be.
Craig
Craig
From: DonVathome
30-Sep-24
I like the idea of what variety holds apples the longest. I will also add that look at what is most tolerant to diseases in your area like apple scab & rust. I have 2 apple trees and I have to spray them every 2 weeks and can still barely get apples to harvest and I bought resistant varieties. I suggest researching what apples trees are the least prone to diseases. Having a 5 year old tree that finally started producing die would stink.
From: ronsoutdoors
30-Sep-24
I have liberty here in Vermont they hold onto tree longest and drops usually hang around into winter after snow the deer like them .I would also look into Franklin cider apple .
From: Buckdeer
30-Sep-24
Check to see if disease resistant to whatever you have there such as cedar apple rust and make sure they live in that zone.I would also check crab apples.Blue Hill Nursery in PA is a great nursery
From: The Kid
01-Oct-24
The University of Minnesota is world-renowned when it comes to Apple Trees. Call them! They breed and sell varieties that you cannot get anywhere else. They will be able to point you in the right direction on what variety to plant based on your soil and location.
https://mnhardy.umn.edu/buy-apples
From: Djl
01-Oct-24
Liberty tree. This one is located in zone 4b MN and is a major draw for deer. It has been dropping apples for the last two weeks.
From: Olink
01-Oct-24
Don't overlook pears. There are some that don't drop until November and are more productive and require less care than apples.
From: APauls
02-Oct-24
I've got a couple dwarf trees in my yard here in Southern MB. Deer are hell on them. I'd stay away from dwarf trees. Everything is in reach of the deer and even fenced I am having a hard time growing them. I've got some kind of a "crisp" apple (full size tree) as well that produces outrageously tasty/sweet firm apples that are still hanging on the tree, which is a solid month later than the other varieties. In general terms they say the crisper fleshed apples hang on longer.
From: Dale06
02-Oct-24
Thanks for all the comments guys. My son is in the nursery business (not trees) and he can get me trees wholesale.
From: Arrownoob
02-Oct-24
Arrownoob's Link
I’m surprised no one mentioned a deer-specific nursery like blue hill. I’ve heard great things about their trees but I’ve never purchased.
From: scentmouse
03-Oct-24
I purchased my property here in WNY with an established apple orchard on it, I don't know the variety but past couple years the trees have looked in poor condition but they still produce apples every season.
By the time October is at its end the apples have been cleaned up pretty good, I have a huge Grey squirrel population that acts like a vacum cleaner!
scentmouse
From: SD
03-Oct-24
Scentmouse, are your pruning your trees and spraying? Their poor looking condition might be an easy fix?
From: Bow Hunter
03-Oct-24
I would have to agree with t-roy
From: Buckdeer
03-Oct-24
I did mention Blue Hill and their trees are very good.I also purchase from Turkey Creek in Kansas.Willis orchard and Whitetail Crabs are also good ones.Check out habitatalk.com lots of habitat advise there
From: Bow Hunter
03-Oct-24
I would have to agree with t-roy
From: Bow Hunter
03-Oct-24
I’m here in Tennessee and I planted several different fruit trees a few years ago, all bare root. Apples, pears, persimmons, and dwarf chinkapin oaks. Two different types of apples trees. Dolgo crabapple and Arkansas black apple trees. I think having an early, middle, and late drop would help keep your deer heard through out the season. I purchased mine through the wildlife group out of Alabama. Allan would be glad to talk to you and help you pick out what type of apple trees would be best suited for your zone.
From: scentmouse
03-Oct-24
SD I'm embarrassed to say I don't prune or spray, I will though get with my local co-op for some advice... those trees are natural attraction for wild life. scentmouse