This is an example of a grafting success story. In this case the “take” of the scionwood on the tree in this photo looks very good after two years. A couple of bark grafts were placed on a youngish, multi-stemmed tree, primarily as a holding unit. That isn’t a bad…
Spend some time here PLEASE. Learn something about these PESTS! SAVE YOUR TREES FROM DYING! Sure enough, not everyone’s trees will be affected by RHATB, but if your tree becomes a “host” for these larva, you’ll need to begin: THE SEARCH PROCESS: Go low—you will need to get down on your…
I have used Milwaukee brand pruning blades with a cordless reciprocating saw with mixed results. I found that they didn’t cut that quickly, and that the experience of the extreme vibration from the saw was very unpleasant. There are Japanese style reciprocating blades on the market that are hard to…
POLE SAWS, HAND SAWS & FOLDING SAWS POLE SAWS A number of years ago, the tree care industry began embracing Japanese made saws that have teeth with no “set” (or TRI EDGE), that cut on the pull stroke, and left a very smooth finish on the wood that they…
THE ORCHARDIST’S LAMENT by Jack Kertesz, January 2021 These are rough drafts. The first round (paragraph? I’m no song writer) was set in place out in the orchard and Laura and I had a good chuckle, but it still makes no sense. Inspiration for all of this comes from Liza…
DIY Wire Holster for a Wheeler Orchard Saw by Jack Kertesz, January 2021 What follows are photos and specs for a homemade holster. I like carrying this saw on my hip, rather than the traditional method of hooking it up your arm when climbing. It is easy to attach over…
What is a “Rootstock Blowout”? Almost all named varieties of apple and crab apple seedlings are grafted, with a named variety grafted on top of a rootstock variety known for various beneficial characteristics. These characteristics might be drought resistance, dwarfing or semi-dwarfing of the tree, cold hardiness, and so forth….
—Jack Kertesz, Fall 2020 1 Sketchy notes for a sketchy little confused crab apple, on an unintentional fruit finding foray. Considerable coddling moth damage on these, I found only a few unblemished. How do you record your finds? 2 Below is another Bangor crab apple blowout. These apples were abundant…
—October, 2020 Two new seedling finds at a Motel 6 in Bangor. Both raised by crabs that were neglected. Extremely tangled base of red variety leaves me questioning how these things can survive. Flavor is pretty sweet, some water core and coddling moth damage but nothing that I wouldn’t appreciate…
