phil
Spends too much time here
Posts: 65
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Post by phil on Oct 9, 2008 0:21:55 GMT 1
I have to dig up a pear tree next week, it is 1.6m tall with a trunk diameter of 75mm and branches pruned down to about 300mm. Is it possible to re-plant it? If so how much root needs to be left on it and would anyone like it? I can drop it off if needed,rather than throw it in a skip.
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Post by moonsmith on Oct 9, 2008 19:10:03 GMT 1
Hi Phil - The tree that you are describing sounds like a "maiden" - a seedling that has been growing for two years or one that has grown for one year on its own and a second year after it was grafted.
Question 1 Has it been grafted? Orchard apples and pears are all grafts onto rootstocks. The rootstocks give the tree stability and determine its eventual height and the graft determines the variety. A seeding pear is unlikely to produce good fruit - it tends to be hard and small like a crab apple.
But
Not always. It is possible to discover a new variety that is edible or cookable. Most famous among these in the apple world is the one discovered by Mr Cox - Pippin means "grown from a pip".
But
Its rare. It is likely that the genetic pattern of your tree is a 30 foot medieval type pear tree with very little fruit by today's standards. Even if its mum was small - she is growing on a "Dwarfing" rootstock.
If you still want to preserve it then it could survive bare rooted for a little while as long as the roots don't dry out. Dig it out and "heel it in" until someone wants it. "Heeling in" is to dig a shallow wide trench, lie the tree over sideways with its roots in the trench and cover the roots with a good layer of soil. We used to heel in fruit trees and forestry trees for most of the winter until we got around to planting them.
Or
Put it in the skip.
I know - that's all as clear as mud - but it covers the ground.
Pat.
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