I admit it, I am a tad obsessed with the planting of fruit trees.
Yesterday I planted the above up at our barn orchard. It's a Melrose Apple, planted to celebrate the 2nd birthday of my grandson Mischa. His actual birthday tree (a Royal Gala) is opposite, on the other side of the drive; you might just see it in the photo.
I'd not previously heard of 'Melrose', but I'm told it's a cross between a Jonathan and a Red Delicious. Developed during WW2 in Ohio USA, it has now become their official State Apple.
According to 'the net', it's equally good as a cooking or desert apple, with creamy white flesh and a firm juicy consistency.
Sounds good to me!
Is Billy going to get a tree planted to celebrate his adoption?
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of that. What would you suggest?
DeleteWhen I first looked at the blog this morning I jumped to the conclusion that it was for Billy.
DeleteHow about a Dog Rose?
DeletePear William?
DeleteI'll ask him.
DeleteA lot of apples to get through at your place.
ReplyDeleteNot really. We have a Bramley, and just four eating varieties. Nothing goes to waste; even the horses benefit.
DeleteGood luck with the apple tree.
ReplyDeleteIt looks healthy enough. I have great hopes.
DeleteI have planted two eating cherries this spring, and a Japanese decorative one last autumn. The Japanese has just come into flower.
ReplyDeleteWe have three Cherries, one of which is yellow. We have yet to have proper crops from the two red ones; maybe this year. There's plenty of flower on them.
DeleteWe have an apple tree - completely inedible, raw or cooked! It's so pretty (for one week of the year) that we don't have the heart to cut it down. There's a lot to be said for knowing your apples!
ReplyDeleteStrange. It must be some type of Crab Apple that is grown just to look nice. It would probably make a very aromatic 'apple jelly'.
DeleteOur apricot tree is covered in blossom. We only got a few apricots last year, hoping for a good crop this year.
ReplyDeleteGood luck for your Apple tree
My Apricot tree died last year. I'd only just planted it, and the Moles got to it. I shan't bother with another.
DeleteWe are in the heart of apple country but only have one tree that I have kept pruned at six feet. It is a Liberty/Emla cross. Good eating and pie apple.
ReplyDeleteI don't know your US varieties, but I'm learning!
DeleteHow long will it take to produce its first crop? We planted a couple of trees a year or so ago but have not had much fruit from them yet. But then we are further north than you and everything is slower!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised if it had a few fruits this year, then relaxed for a couple of seasons before fruiting again. We'll see.
DeleteI am familiar with Melrose and I can assure you it is indeed delicious.
ReplyDeleteGood. You're the first to have mentioned it. My fingers are always crossed when I buy a new variety.
DeleteI have never heard of the Melrose, but the cross sounds good. My favorite apples are Gala, Braeburn, Jonathon, and Ambrosia. As for fruit trees, we have 2 fig trees, a Celeste fig and a Brown Turkey. The Celeste fig is our favorite. We leave the Brown Turkey figs for the birds, squirrels, and box turtles.
ReplyDeleteI would like a Braeburn, but we don't see the trees on sale here. I already had a Gala, Jonagold, Reinette, and Bramley, so I'm hoping my Melrose will make a good addition. I believe it's quite a late apple. I have about 10 Fig trees (too many).
DeleteSound like a good addition
ReplyDelete