L'il Big Fruit Trees

18 years ago

Has anyone tried these? They come in several varieties but I can only find two sellers - Gurney's and Henry Field's - which makes me dubious, especially given who the sellers are.

I like the idea of tree that tops out at 6 feet, and best of all, bears in 16 months, but then output is "up to" 1/2 bushel, so it's a fairly expensive venture for a small return. On the other hand, we love easy to manage fruit in the yard. I'd love to hear your experiences with this particular tree.

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Comments (6)

Embothrium
18 years ago
Local climate adaptation?
Embothrium
18 years ago
Must be a selling name for trees on a particular rootstock. So, if the scion is a locally suitable variety, then they should be possible here.

I've seen a few of the colonnade cultivars doing fairly well here, these don't seem to need support and are available at local outlets. Last fall they even had some in one gallon pots at Fred Meyer.

Here is a link that might be useful: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Scab
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mkirkwag
Original Author
18 years ago
I'm sorry - I'm not understanding what you're saying. They are a particular stock that has been (supposedly) successfully miniaturized to a fairly consistent 6'. I'm asking if anyone has bought one of *this specific tree* (which comes is several varieties) so I can hear how it turned out.
Embothrium
18 years ago
If you look at my link it appears they are talking about such trees being produced by using a particular rootstock, same as with other rootstocks. The branches and fruits etc. produced depend on what scion is grafted onto this stock, in the case of the page I linked to it is a 'Liberty' - a variety that will grow and produce in our climate. Otherwise, I'd never seen this term ("L'il Big") used for apple trees before you posted so I suspect use of this rootstock is new in nurseries and there will not be much, if any local experience yet.

If smallness is your main target and you don't want to experiment with the L'il Big trees try the colonnade types as this seem to be working out. I have noticed several here lately that are well along and located where I doubt anyone is spraying them. And as I mentioned I like the idea that these (so far) don't appear to be liable to falling over, unlike those on previously used fully dwarfing rootstocks. Even the way the colonnade trees present their fruits looks like it makes them easier to work with.
mkirkwag
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks - I don't like the colonnade types. I'm pretty sure that the L'il Big trees were around last year - not sure about earlier, so I'm hoping that by posting here, I'll find someone who has tried one. Probably not, if I haven't heard by now, but it never hurts to try.
Embothrium
18 years ago
I thought they were too extreme until I saw that they do branch some as they develop, so that you get a nice narrow small tree rather than just a pole with fruit on it. There are several cultivars being sold by now, I imagine there is some variation in local suitability and growth habits.