Cider Digest #1821

Published in

· 7 months ago

Subject: Cider Digest #1821, 3 November 2013 
From: cider-request@talisman.com 

Cider Digest #1821                                         3 November 2013 

                 Cider and Perry Discussion Forum 

Contents: 
  Re: cider apple trees for the front range (Martha) 

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Subject: Re: cider apple trees for the front range 
From: Martha <moth@frontier.net> 
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 16:26:37 -0600 

> I am getting an urge to plant some classic French cider apples (especially 
> bittersweet apples) in my back yard to supplement the giant MacIntoshish 
> old tree from pioneer days. I know I can get a lot of great varieties from 
> Oregon but haven't found much information about what varieties do well in 
> the Denver area, or whether any local nurseries/orchards/research stations 
> sell bonafide cider trees. Any advice from Colorado ciderists would be 
> appreciated. They don't need to be French specifically but that's the type 
> of flavor I'm looking for. 
> Thanks, 
> Karen Thurow 

Hello Karen, 
  We are located down in the southwest corner of Colorado, outside of 
Dolores (@ 6,632 ft.). We planted several varieties (28 trees total) 
purchased from Trees of Antiquity located in Paso Robles, CA.  We planted 
them bare root in April of 2012 and are amazed at their vigor. 
The varieties we selected were: 

Wickson Crab 
Lady 
Muscat de Berney 
Hauer Pippen 
Newtown Pippen 

The Wickson are with apples this year though we've not processed yet so  
can't comment on the fruit character.  The trees themselves however are  
very impressive.  They've grown a lot.  In fact, comparing to other  
newer orchards in our area, ours seemed to have easily surpassed them in  
growth. 
  Curious about it, the only thing I can come up with that's blaringly  
different between them aside from actual location, is that we've kept  
the floor of our orchard entirely tilled, (mostly because it is  
inundated with the ever lovely knapweed but also because they  
recommended for the first 5 years, I think it was, to keep it clear of  
grass but I'm sure they meant directly under the trees...), where the  
other newer orchards are completely grassed over.  Hope this helps a wee  
bit.   
  Good luck, 
  Martha Teal 

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End of Cider Digest #1821 
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