Selected seedlings from our farm known for their upright growth and non apple looking tree structure. Trees show high vigor and low yield of small bright red crabapples. The low yield of apples combined with the extreme vigor make the trees kind of oak like in appearance; the opposite of what apple trees look like today. Might be a good clone for vigor, rootstock, lumber and even the edible crabapples. Originally selected from 3000 apples grown from seed found in a landscape of 20 plus trees in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We collected a truck load of apples and smashed them by hand and then by blender until we had enough seeds. We planted those seeds out and 30 years later the best of those seedlings were labeled as 'apples that look like oak trees project." They started fruiting about 3 years ago. A couple of the trees were isolated from the others as they were the most tree like. This is where we collected the seed this year.
To germinate the seed: Like other apples, store in a moist media in a zip lock bag in your fridge for 90-120 days. Seeds will begin sprouting after 60-90 days. Plant in a pot covering the seed lightly by 1/8 inch of soil. Careful about damp off so be careful not to over water. Better to under water.
| Plant Specs |
| Genus & Species |
Malus x domestica x purpurea Ecos |
| Seed Source |
Michigan |
| Hardiness |
-25F or more |
| Soil |
Sandy to sandy loam |
| Ease of Cultivation |
Super easy to get a strong 2-4 ft. in one year with this seed strain. One thing to improve it would be to select it over time to get even more vigorous selections. To do this, keep the best most vigorous seedlings with the cleanest foliage health. This would strength the strain making a higher percentage of oak like apple trees. I know ..crazy right! Look at apples today, they are all hunched over. They need physical therapy and this is the only strain to do it with. |
