I LOVE that you are going to "save" apple trees. I had a great great grandfather that used to sell apple tree seedlings in IA in the mid 1800's. He had over 100 varieties at one time. I have always wanted to find some of his more popular varities and grow them. I have always been interested in this subject but I know NOTHING about grafting yet. I recieved 2 "Geneva 11 Apple Rootstocks" from Milehighgirl at the spring swap. I have not done any grafting with them yet because I have not found a good tree to use for grafting yet. You are welcome to have them to practice with. I am not sure if you ever get up this way (near DIA). PM me if you want them...or I think you already have my email address so just email me. You could use these 2 now and still do a little research over the winter going forward. You could also try to contact Milehighgirl who I believe had luck with some of the trees she grafted. She may have some advice for you going forward.

ProvoGirl

Billie, Apple Seed!

Why don't you collect some seed from the apples this year, dry them, and winter sow them! No telling what the apples would wind up being like, but you might get something that's absolutely wonderful--that you could graft to get more of!!! With 40 acres..............

Love to experiment,
Skybird

Here is a link that might be useful: How to Grow Apple Trees From Seed

If they are own-root go for it. If they are grafted, then you need to graft onto suitable stock.

BTW, I pruned an old apple tree at Barr Lake not too long ago and it is ~75-100 years old, still producing. Apples need hard pruning every once in a while to produce.

Dan

Provogirl - if I can get up that way, I will take you up on the offer. I wouldn't mind starting out asap. Hate to lose the old trees and I am afraid that this is going to be a hard winter.

Skybird - the old trees haven't produced anything since the neglected years, unfortunately. Dan says that a good pruning won't hurt them and I am hoping it will help them. Guess I will have to go and give her the old college try (isn't that what they said?) Thanks and I'll let you know how it goes. I'm thinking I might have a little apple wood for smoking meat when this is done.

Keep you posted on the progress.

Billie

I gave the neighbor some apple wood for his smoker, and a buddy the rest. I'm hoping trout season is good.

Dan

Yummy, smoked trout!!! Gotta get the floor fixed on the pontoon boat. Dang, more work before I get to play.

Billie

Yummy, smoked trout!!!

Apple is the perfect wood for that not too strong.