Planted an apple tree. Some questions

In an effort to increase food for the deer around my camp (and house) I'll be planting several apple trees this year.

Some questions

Currently they are seedlings about 8 inches tall in planters, grown from one of the rare wild apple trees around here. "Here" is Muskoka. So not the easiest growing situation.

When should I transfer them to the ground?

How many years before I should expect fruit? 5? 10? More?

Any advice for keeping bears off it? I plan on putting some fencing around them to keep the deer away in this small stage, but im worried about bears once it does starting bearing fruit

Thanks

Bears love apples, at least in my hunting area.

I have grown apple tree from seeds have them in one foot diameter pot 15 of them together , I grow them inside the house from January then in spring cut of the plastic pot and put in the a hole in the ground ( all together as is ) on woodland sunny spot Muskoka Fawn lake road property and left them there for 2 years and then planted separately the place i wanted

Against the bear is one solution , take of the apple each year when the apples are very small , do tis until the apple trees are strong enough ....

After 5 years you can expect fruits , Be patience it is worth it ...

Make sure you put plastic coil against the rabbits on tree trunk and don't remove it first 5-10 year...(very important ...!)

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Originally Posted by blasted_saber

In an effort to increase food for the deer around my camp (and house) I'll be planting several apple trees this year.

Some questions

Currently they are seedlings about 8 inches tall in planters, grown from one of the rare wild apple trees around here. "Here" is Muskoka. So not the easiest growing situation.

When should I transfer them to the ground?

How many years before I should expect fruit? 5? 10? More?

Any advice for keeping bears off it? I plan on putting some fencing around them to keep the deer away in this small stage, but im worried about bears once it does starting bearing fruit

Thanks

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As far as keeping bears off the trees when they have fruit, that will be hard to do, as you know they are great climbers and will easily break off branches while climbing.

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Originally Posted by alfoldivandor

I have grown apple tree from seeds have them in one foot diameter pot 15 of them together , I grow them inside the house from January then in spring cut of the plastic pot and put in the a hole in the ground ( all together as is ) on woodland sunny spot Muskoka Fawn lake road property and left them there for 2 years and then planted separately the place i wanted

Against the bear is one solution , take of the apple each year when the apples are very small , do tis until the apple trees are strong enough ....

After 5 years you can expect fruits , Be patience it is worth it ...

Make sure you put plastic coil against the rabbits on tree trunk and don't remove it first 5-10 year...(very important ...!)

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Thankyou! I would not have thought about the plastic coil.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jaycee

As far as keeping bears off the trees when they have fruit, that will be hard to do, as you know they are great climbers and will easily break off branches while climbing.

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Yes, I realize this is probably a losing battle im going to try it because, why not?

Bears will destroy the tree when bearing fruit.

It can be grown as low as possible "Bush tree"

So the bears can eat standing from the ground ...

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Originally Posted by trailblzr

Bears will destroy the tree when bearing fruit.

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I took of the coil at trunk 1.5 in diameter ,
sure next spring the rabbits killed the tree at the , to the hight of the snow cower
so the plastic or wire mesh cover to be 3ft hight from the ground .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blasted_saber

Thankyou! I would not have thought about the plastic coil.



Yes, I realize this is probably a losing battle im going to try it because, why not?

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Look the bright side of it .... You will not have to buy a bear bait ....

Just need a good cooler with ice for the meat , and patience to wait for the bears to come ....

Lot of people just see the problems ... And I see just the solution ....

Attachment 38709

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jaycee

As far as keeping bears off the trees when they have fruit, that will be hard to do, as you know they are great climbers and will easily break off branches while climbing.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by alfoldivandor

Look the bright side of it .... You will not have to buy a bear bait ....

Just need a good cooler with ice for the meat , and patience to wait for the bears to come ....

Lot of people just see the problems ... And I see just the solution ....

Attachment 38709

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In that picture , those branches would easily break, have you ever seen what bears can destroy?