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Post by coop on Aug 26, 2017 11:28:59 GMT -6
I'd be lying if I told you I knew they were all here when I bought the place.
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Post by Freeborn on Aug 26, 2017 11:37:14 GMT -6
Coop, whats the history of your trees? Did your family plant them or were they on the property when you bought the property.
As far north as I am there are not allot of properties that have established apple trees. I'm trying to catch-up as fast as I can but it takes time.
Your trees look great!
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Post by coop on Aug 26, 2017 11:45:01 GMT -6
The property has approximately 30-40 apple/crabs that were here when I bought it. Most of them weren't producing much until I released and cleaned them up. I have no idea if they were planted or grew naturally. They are randomly scattered about so I think they may have naturally occurred. I'm aware of 10 or so trees buried in the woods that I've chosen to let become forest. I've planted 70ish trees the last 5 years.
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Post by sd51555 on Aug 26, 2017 12:48:21 GMT -6
Damn fine stand there Coop.
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Post by coop on Aug 26, 2017 15:22:56 GMT -6
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Post by Sandbur on Aug 26, 2017 16:07:46 GMT -6
Coop do you see deer preferences of one type of apple or crab over others?
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Post by Sandbur on Aug 26, 2017 16:08:40 GMT -6
Coop do you see deer preferences of one type of apple or crab over others? Or is an undisturbed location more important?
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Post by coop on Aug 26, 2017 23:52:49 GMT -6
Coop do you see deer preferences of one type of apple or crab over others? Or is an undisturbed location more important? I don't spend much time at my place from late August until Oct. 1st. My observation(s) is that they do show clear preference for specific trees in October & November. The trees they like best are consistent annual bearers and slow droppers. One is a crab, the other is an apple. There aren't any varieties that last on the ground very long. I think their pickiness is largely determined by ripeness, supply/demand, and flavor?. The "undisturbed" remoteness of the tree doesn't seem to matter unless the location is terrible. They're willing to take some risks to get their share of the fruit.
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Post by Sandbur on Aug 27, 2017 5:17:51 GMT -6
Or is an undisturbed location more important? I don't spend much time at my place from late August until Oct. 1st. My observation(s) is that they do show clear preference for specific trees in October & November. The trees they like best are consistent annual bearers and slow droppers. One is a crab, the other is an apple. There aren't any varieties that last on the ground very long. I think their pickiness is largely determined by ripeness, supply/demand, and flavor?. The "undisturbed" remoteness of the tree doesn't seem to matter unless the location is terrible. They're willing to take some risks to get their share of the fruit. I suspect your deer density determines how much risk they need to take.
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Post by coop on Aug 27, 2017 6:54:22 GMT -6
I don't spend much time at my place from late August until Oct. 1st. My observation(s) is that they do show clear preference for specific trees in October & November. The trees they like best are consistent annual bearers and slow droppers. One is a crab, the other is an apple. There aren't any varieties that last on the ground very long. I think their pickiness is largely determined by ripeness, supply/demand, and flavor?. The "undisturbed" remoteness of the tree doesn't seem to matter unless the location is terrible. They're willing to take some risks to get their share of the fruit. I suspect your deer density determines how much risk they need to take. That's a good point. Density has gotta be a major factor. But food chain supply/demand makes a big difference as well. For example; at this moment a lot of fruit is ripe, or near ripe and hitting the ground.Soybean tonnage/availability is peaking county wide, acorns are falling (Bur Oaks put on a bumper crop this year) and they've been falling for the last 1.5 weeks. There is less need for the local herd to take risks at present.
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Post by Catscratch on Aug 27, 2017 7:01:26 GMT -6
I have no fruit experience but my deer do have "risk" experience. I think deer will go just about anywhere to get to a preferred food source, if it's risky they just go at night. Do you guys see the same thing with fruit trees? Or is it a situation to where fallen fruit will be gone by 2:00am so if they want it the better get there sooner?
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Post by coop on Aug 27, 2017 7:20:28 GMT -6
I have no fruit experience but my deer do have "risk" experience. I think deer will go just about anywhere to get to a preferred food source, if it's risky they just go at night. Do you guys see the same thing with fruit trees? Or is it a situation to where fallen fruit will be gone by 2:00am so if they want it the better get there sooner? There are a couple trees that have some combination of variables that the deer love. They get checked for drops day and night. Not sure exactly why... Both are Mid-October dribblers.
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Post by smsmith on Aug 28, 2017 7:24:49 GMT -6
As far north as I am there are not allot of properties that have established apple trees. I'm trying to catch-up as fast as I can but it takes time. I imagine when you're up to your place this time of the year you are focused on getting the work done, but if you get a chance...take some slow drives through your area and look for ripening fruit. The longer I'm here, the more apple and crab trees I see growing. Seems most every old farm/country homestead has an apple tree or two. I see more and more wild fruit trees on my north neighbor's place every year too. I don't know if I've missed them for a few years or if they are just beginning to bare fruit. At any rate...you may be surprised at what's around.
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Post by Freeborn on Aug 28, 2017 7:29:37 GMT -6
^Yep, I don't get around all that much as I am trying to get things done. My wife has been coming to the far more this year and that has helped me have more time there. I believe were going to be there for Labor day, we'll have to take a drive and see what we can see.
Thanks for the advice.
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Post by smsmith on Aug 28, 2017 7:34:08 GMT -6
Have you taken your wife to Carlos Creek Winery? Kind of a cool thing to do (if you like wine anyway) on a weekend. Can't be that much of a drive from your place. My wife and I were there a few weeks ago as my step daughter had some of her photos on display there. We got lucky as the new brewery from Alex had a stand there and we got to have a beer instead of a glass of wine
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