A little mission creep.

[VTwoodchuck]

Last year I decided for a little project, I'd free up a few apple trees on a plateau on a ridge behind our house . I started by clearing hemlocks that were right on a tall apple tree. The a neighbor who was building a post and beam “man cave”, heard I was cutting hemlock. So he an I tag teamed a dozen big hemlocks. Things were starting to logo good, so I got an excavator for a weekend and dug up 30 stumps. Then some time running the york rake and rolling in some fall rye and things are starting to look green. Two apple trees in the foreground and the older tall apple in the background.

 

[VTwoodchuck]

Thats the Apple tree that started the clean up. 35’ tall and not a real fork to speak of.
We really need some rain but, the rye should keep the ferns our come spring when I will try clover.

 

[oneshott]

pretty spot, any camera on it?

 

[VTwoodchuck]

Three tree has really come back with some decent apples. In this area, the deer are pounding the nuts right now. Lots of apples on the ground,
I think come winter, they would rather eat frozen apples than rotten acorns.

 

[NH Mountains]

Great job. The deer will be very happy.

That apple tree will respond well to more light. You might want to give it some lime this fall. Next year it will start having more suckers coming out of it lower down. You can try tying those down/outward so the growth is outward and not straight up. Eventually they can grow to be lower limbs with fruiting spurs. If you let them grow up they'll never really have many fruit spurs on them. I wouldn't fertilize it this year. See what you get for growth next year.

 

[NH Mountains]

Is that an old spring tooth harrow against the apple tree?

 

[VTwoodchuck]

Thanks for the input. The big apple has a hollow center that worries me. Im guessing that it started when a bough broke off. In the old days they would fill it with concrete. Any thoughts?

OS, I was waiting to get the last logs out before putting cams up. The tractor always makes me look fat

 

[VTwoodchuck]

Is that an old spring tooth harrow against the apple tree?

Yes, good eye. So far I use it and a york rake to break things up. Im considering a 3pt tiller or discs for next spring.

 

[NH Mountains]

Thanks for the input. The big apple has a hollow center that worries me. Im guessing that it started when a bough broke off. In the old days they would fill it with concrete.

I'm not sure. I've read where concrete will cause problems with the wood holding moisture. .. If it's exposed and water/ice/snow can run down in then maybe cover the hole. Otherwise my new theory is plant a new apple tree nearby so when this one dies the other will take its place. I've got three hollow ones left that are still doing well. The new added light will help it as well.

They have a long will to live and will continue to push new growth for a long time. I lost an old rotten one this summer but, I'd grafted it this spring so it will carry on.

 

[jamiebuck]

Excellent work looks sweet

 

[mbVT]

Nice Chuck! The old weekend project that lasts all summer...

 

[gfdeputy2]

Looks great
seeing the title thought you were having string creep with your mission Bow

 

[sneaky_pete000]

can't wait to see what shows up in there.

 

[VTwoodchuck]

Here are few new pics. The deer seemed to move right through at first. They hit a few apples. Now they are hitting the rye. I really started too late. The wet leaves have blocked out the rye.

 

[VTwoodchuck]

 

[NH Mountains]

Really good clear photos. Nice deer.

Any chance of getting in there with a leaf blower? Winter rye will live and continue growing at 33 degrees. There's still a lot of time left.

 

[VTwoodchuck]

Hmmm, didn’t think of that. Just finished my yard leaves for the last time tonight. I will try the blower this weekend. Thanks

 

[jamiebuck]

Thanks for the update ,great pics there

 

[VTwoodchuck]

Just pulled the cards before the season opens tomorrow. This is a wicked crappy picture but, I think its a good buck..........in daylight!

 

[2browndogs]

Nice work on that area!!! Did you ever see that buck again?