Got Wind?

[Les]

I know I won't have any apples We are having one hell of a wind event this afternoon. I left work early because of a fire, I was affraid that they would close the freeway between Reno and Carson - they did. When I finaly reached home - this is what I found, other than roofing all over hells half acre.

Les...

[mfiore]

Looks like you'll have some apple wood for your WFO!

[Les]

Truth be told, that was my first thought. Got in a fight with the wife about it because she wanted me to save it - that will take a while to blow over (pun intended) I'm going to give it a shot. The plan is to trim it WAY back, set it back up (try to), and stake the hell out of it. Anyone have experience with something like this? I know it's the wrong time to be pruning but I have little options.

Les...

[asudavew]

just do what the wife wants...

problem solved

......for now!..........

[RTflorida]

Sound advice from Dave. Worst case - you still have your apples in the future and kindling in the short term. Best case - you have your kindling now...and a good bit of apple wood (great stuff in a WFO or even BBQ) down the road, after the tree dies from todays trauma. Either way, you win.....don't tell your wife I said that

RT

[nissanneill]

Yeh,
we had the same situation here in our institute carpark. One of the shade trees on the corner of the car park was blown over, so we soaked the root area with water, pulled it back upright slowly and carefully, drove 3 star droppers into the ground and securely tied the tree upright without strangulating it.
It grew like mad and was the best tree in the carpark until some new gardeners (butchers) trashed it, but that was around 10 years later.
You have nothing to lose but the respect of the other half.

Neill

[SpringJim]

Originally Posted by Les

Truth be told, that was my first thought. Got in a fight with the wife about it because she wanted me to save it - that will take a while to blow over (pun intended) I'm going to give it a shot. The plan is to trim it WAY back, set it back up (try to), and stake the hell out of it. Anyone have experience with something like this? I know it's the wrong time to be pruning but I have little options.

Les...

It looks like there is not much root structure but a big crown! If you have extensive root damage, that may be a problem. Cut it way back this year, water well and cross your thumbs. It will probably make it.

[jengineer]

you working with clay? that may be why there is such a big crown and short roots. We planted an orchard in clay soil. Took us 3 days with a riding trencher just to dig trenches for the irrigation system. Ended up using the power takeoff of a tractor to use a post hole digger to dig out 3 close holes for each tree. Back breaking work was then used to conect the holes and plant the tree in the mess we left behind after mixing in "good" soil. 8 years later my mate has a thriving cherry/apple pear orchard.

[Les]

Thanks guys - sound like it's worth the try. Patrick, I'm on DG. Some stuff grows like crazy and some don't take at all. I had a silver oak in that spot for 3-4 years. It didn't die but it wouldn't grow. Went out and pulled it out of the ground with one hand. This tree was doing great. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was in full bloom - beautiful.

Les...

[gjbingham]

Hopefully the fires there don't burn it up after all that working getting it back in the ground