Apple Tree ...Spray ?....never have !

[massachusett4hills]

I am not one for time consuming plant maintenance......
So when I planted Apples ,I looked around Quite a bit....
and in 1980 decided on this variety.....'Liberty'
Because ?............watch the Video and read plant history.
Video is new, From September 30, 2009.....
See below..........
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NEW YORK'S FOOD AND LIFE SCIENCES BULLETIN NO. 73, AUGUST 1978

'Liberty' resulted from a cross, 'Macoun' x Purdue 54-12,
made in 1955. The pollen was supplied by Dr. Ralph Shay of
Purdue University, Indiana. Its resistance comes from
malus floribunda (Japanese crabapple )

From this cross, 261 seeds were planted and screened
for resistance to scab. Thirty-eight resistant seedlings were
planted in the seedling orchard to be grown to full size for
fruiting.

One of these seedlings, NY 55140-19, first fruited in
1961 and was selected and propagated for further trial in
1964. It was included in the New York State Fruit Testing
Cooperative Association catalog in 1974 and has been
tested in numerous orchards since that time.

'Liberty' was screened for resistance to scab as a small
seedling in a severe test in the greenhouse and was found
to be resistant. . 'Liberty' has
remained free of scab lesions in field plantings for 22 years.

Resistance to cedar apple rust has been determined in
the greenhouse by controlled inoculation and in the field
where red cedar branches with rust galls were brought in
as sources of spores. In both situations, 'Liberty' has shown
very high resistance to cedar apple rust.

Similarly, 'Liberty's' resistance to fire blight has been
checked under greenhouse and field conditions and under
controlled inoculations and natural infection. It has shown a
high level of resistance in all cases.

Resistance to mildew has been determined by observations
of natural infection in the field. 'Liberty' has shown
less mildew infection than 'Mclntosh' over the 20 years that
it has been under test. ,
we believe that it will not be necessary to use chemical
sprays to control mildew on this variety.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_YmFTp612c

[plantsnobin]

I am glad to hear that you like this apple, as I just planted one myself. Though it is a small one, I bought it from a local amateur grafter. I think I shouldn't have bought any trees from him after seeing them, but I had made an appointment and all. I thought I had to buy something. I just hope it makes it. I may order one from another source just in case.

Oh, and I hope you don't mind my saying this, but the first time I saw your photo, I did a double take. You look so much like my late, great-uncle. It made me smile to think about him, and his conductor hat.

[massachusett4hills]

Nov 10, 2009 17:23:31 GMT -5 @plantsnobin said:

I think I shouldn't have bought any trees from him after seeing them.

Yes, your point is a good one .
In my case the tree was a mail order purchase and it was shipped..bare root.
Not very inspiring to look at (8" lg.) .... .......
With some TLC the first 2 years It did just fine.
I think mine carryed some fruit by the third season .....
It has very few summer drops and holds on trees way in to the late fall.
The skin is very thick and that I think keeps insect damage low.....

[Alan]

Great information and picture!


Hey Karen,


After your tree is established is it possible I can come by and get some scion wood? Also have a couple other things I'd like to get from you next season regarding wood as well.

[ottawagardener]

I absolutely love that picture. I also have Liberty though it is not very old, it has produced a descent crop of mostly scab free apples. Scab is a really problem here so I appreciate the disease resistance.

[sandbar]

Thanks for the info and link!

Am very interested in the older varieties that have good disease resistance. Would like to grow without the use of (or minimal use of) sprays, etc.

[ottawagardener]

I'm with sandbar. Very interested in heritage, disease resistant varieties.