Ricky Appleseed

snick33 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 67 Location: Scottsdale Arizona

Since I was a kid, I've always thought about planting apple trees in the wilderness. Yes, I was inspired by Johnny Appleseed story. Moving forward, If a guy were to actually do this, is there a species of apple tree that does particularly well in the climatic conditions we have in Arizona, and would I being doing any little critters any harm?

Lastly, does anyone happen to know what type apple trees are growing at Reavis Ranch? they seem to do fairly well in the heat.

Susan says I've got to start thinking about a hobby for my retirement in a few years, and drinking beer in dingy bars or collecting "stuff" in the gargage isn't going to cut it.
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Mother nature really likes us, and not just because we taste like chicken.

evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

Take naps.....works for me! Sleeping

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When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
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Tom Treks · Gear Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3347

Nighthiker · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1714

Collect apples from Reavis and try to grow the seeds from the apples. Apple trees are also found in the Sierra Ancha's. When I first moved to Arizona in 1967 we visited the town/millsite of America on Slate Creek. My uncle gave me a "western apple' from one of the trees. It was a pomegranate.

Daryl · Posted: 12/16/2003, 11:28 am Post subject:

There are apples growing at the mouth of west fork too.
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snick33 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 67 Location: Scottsdale Arizona

I'll started a dialog, (liberal talk) with a company that specializes in ancestral apple varieties, (http://www.treesofantiquity.com/index.html) . I'm told by them that a modern variety of apple tree would require too much pruning and messing about for my purposes. I'm doing a bit of research into what species might have been a popular apple that would have been planted in the 1880's - early 1900's in Arizona. Does anyone remember hearing their granny talk about any particular apple like an "Arizona Desert Rose", (just made that up) that they recall from their youth? Or, can anyone describe what a Reavis Ranch apple or any other apple that they have found while hiking tastes or looks like so I can better direct this source in locating a good variety for me to plant.
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Mother nature really likes us, and not just because we taste like chicken.

snick33 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 67 Location: Scottsdale Arizona

From Neil Collins, (Trees of Antiquity)
Hi there,

That sounds like a great project. The best option would be to select apple trees on standard rootstock. The first year they should have some water, but they can be dry farmed. I would plant them as deep as I could and place heavy mulch to conserve moisture. They would not be a negative or invasive species. They will offer the birds and small mammals a refuge and treat. The trees would need to be protected from the deer. They would require little fertilization and in Arizona little spray. So they can produce great fruit without outside inputs. We have a small inventory of trees on standard rootstock. They are as follows; Ashmeads Kernel, Calville Blanc, Cox Orange Pippin, Gravenstein, Golden Russet, Pink Pearl, Spitzenberg. We also have several crab apples on standard which would be great, but without the refreshing taste. One great tasting crab is the Whitney Crab. Anyway, it would require some effort, but if your so inclined it would be a nice treat at the end of a long hike.

Good Luck!

OK, now for problem #1 How do I protect them from the deer?

I am going to purchase a few of these trees in the spring, If anyone is willing to plant a couple at Reavis Ranch and find a way to babysit them, I'll donate the trees. I'm planting some in the Mazatzal's at a elevation that I think is high enough to give them the proper "freeze time." Any other suggested locations? They need to be located at an elevation where they will get something like 100 - 200 hours of below 32 degrees temperature a year. And I would of course, expect a bronze plaque at the site with my name & likeness on it.
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Mother nature really likes us, and not just because we taste like chicken.

Daryl · Posted: 12/17/2003, 4:59 pm Post subject:

Crown King would be a great place for an apple tree. I bet they'd grow well in Aravipa also.

An apple tree on a peak would rock! Flatiron or picketpost? finding dirt would be tough. There are a few pine trees near the peak of the flatiron???
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Nighthiker · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1714

Snick, check out www.nativeseedsearch.org

GTG · Posted: 12/20/2003, 1:03 am Post subject:

Snick, not to rain on your apple plantin' parade but,

Daryl · Posted: 12/20/2003, 3:59 pm Post subject:

Party Pooper!

Good points though.
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snick33 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 67 Location: Scottsdale Arizona

I'm not planting at Reavis Ranch, nor had I given any thought to saving what's there.

I've already contacted U.S.D.A. and they are going to give me an opinion as to an appropriate species of tree to plant, (if any). I'm doing something nice, if they will let me, if they won't I'll understand. I have determined that the existing apples at Reavis Ranch are Pippin's. It's not that they were a great variety, it's what you could get for free from the Government in the Depression. I think I can come up with a better variety.

As my communication states above, I'm looking into a variety of apple that lends itself to "Dry Farming" technics, water is not a factor per say.

I was looking for a little encouragement, I'm kinda full up on critics for 2003. This is not my first rodeo, and I was not born in a mud Yurt ya know. Sometimes when I come up with an uplifting idea, I puzzled by those who seemingly throw mud in my path instead if planks. Golly Gee Whizz, were's Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland when you want to plant a few trees or put on a show these days?
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Mother nature really likes us, and not just because we taste like chicken.

GTG · Posted: 12/20/2003, 11:54 pm Post subject: let's just settle down and such

snick33 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 67 Location: Scottsdale Arizona

Didn't intend to sound mean spirited, not even close, it's just sometimes I come up with a project idea and instead of getting supportive comments, I seem to get quite a lot of negative reactions. I seek and expect reality but I've always been surprised by some reactions. They remind me of the movies made in the 30's & 40's where no matter what the lonely country boy thinks of, the mean parent always reminds him of all the horrible things that can happen, rather much like the mother from the movie "The Yearling."

That was my only point.
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Mother nature really likes us, and not just because we taste like chicken.

snick33 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 67 Location: Scottsdale Arizona

GTG,

Disregard me and what I've just written in its entirety, I must be having a cranky day. What you said was completely misinterpereted by me, sorry guy. I remind me of my kids when they were 9-10.
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Mother nature really likes us, and not just because we taste like chicken.