Large Fruit trees:

[loneranger]

I have been growing apple and pear trees for awhile. Near my house I keep the semi Dwarf type from getting real high, for ease of pruning and spraying. I have some out in the fields, mostly to feed wildlife. They are getting quite large, and I really want them to grow to their full potential. I wonder how high the will grow? And now since some of them are getting large, it is increasingly difficult to prune them up top. I have a pole saw but that does not work very well, and I have an 8 ft step ladder but that is not high enough. I guess the only answer. Invest in a taller ladder. Ladders are darn expensive though. I probably prune more than I have to, but some get pretty thick up there. Anyone else have this experience?

 

[streitl]

I hope to have your problem some day! But just starting out with this "addiction".

 

[letemgrow]

The semi-dwarf's only get 14-18' tall if I remember right.

One thing you can do to keep them smaller is prune during the growing seasons instead of when they are dormant. That stunts them some to keep the trees smaller if their height is a real issue for ya.

 

[BigfootWillow.com]

I just climb up the fruit trees to prune them, its also how I harvest too and shake the branches and work my way down. I like to wear a hardhat when I remember, too because sucks getting hit in the head with the fruit. I don't know how much pruning work would be needed for wildlife, the feral trees I have seem to produce good enough without intervention.

 

[habitat24]

Buy them from Hallman Wildlife nursery and they come almost this tall

 

[tlambert]

There's apple trees on the property I bought a few years ago that are around 30' high....impossible to trim from the ground!

 

[iabwhntr]

Look for a tree climber. Be sure he/she is an ISA Certified Arborist though.