Got Wind?

[Les]

I know I won't have any apples We are having one hell of a wind event this afternoon. I left work early because of a fire, I was affraid that they would close the freeway between Reno and Carson - they did. When I finaly reached home - this is what I found, other than roofing all over hells half acre.

Les...

[mfiore]

Re: Got Wind?

Looks like you'll have some apple wood for your WFO!

[Les]

Re: Got Wind?

Truth be told, that was my first thought. Got in a fight with the wife about it because she wanted me to save it - that will take a while to blow over (pun intended) I'm going to give it a shot. The plan is to trim it WAY back, set it back up (try to), and stake the hell out of it. Anyone have experience with something like this? I know it's the wrong time to be pruning but I have little options.

Les...

[asudavew]

Re: Got Wind?

just do what the wife wants...

problem solved

......for now!..........

[RTflorida]

Re: Got Wind?

Sound advice from Dave. Worst case - you still have your apples in the future and kindling in the short term. Best case - you have your kindling now...and a good bit of apple wood (great stuff in a WFO or even BBQ) down the road, after the tree dies from todays trauma. Either way, you win.....don't tell your wife I said that

RT

[nissanneill]

Re: Got Wind?

Yeh,
we had the same situation here in our institute carpark. One of the shade trees on the corner of the car park was blown over, so we soaked the root area with water, pulled it back upright slowly and carefully, drove 3 star droppers into the ground and securely tied the tree upright without strangulating it.
It grew like mad and was the best tree in the carpark until some new gardeners (butchers) trashed it, but that was around 10 years later.
You have nothing to lose but the respect of the other half.

Neill

[SpringJim]

Re: Got Wind?

Truth be told, that was my first thought. Got in a fight with the wife about it because she wanted me to save it - that will take a while to blow over (pun intended) I'm going to give it a shot. The plan is to trim it WAY back, set it back up (try to), and stake the hell out of it. Anyone have experience with something like this? I know it's the wrong time to be pruning but I have little options.

Les...

It looks like there is not much root structure but a big crown! If you have extensive root damage, that may be a problem. Cut it way back this year, water well and cross your thumbs. It will probably make it.

[jengineer]

Re: Got Wind?

you working with clay? that may be why there is such a big crown and short roots. We planted an orchard in clay soil. Took us 3 days with a riding trencher just to dig trenches for the irrigation system. Ended up using the power takeoff of a tractor to use a post hole digger to dig out 3 close holes for each tree. Back breaking work was then used to conect the holes and plant the tree in the mess we left behind after mixing in "good" soil. 8 years later my mate has a thriving cherry/apple pear orchard.

[Les]

Re: Got Wind?

Thanks guys - sound like it's worth the try. Patrick, I'm on DG. Some stuff grows like crazy and some don't take at all. I had a silver oak in that spot for 3-4 years. It didn't die but it wouldn't grow. Went out and pulled it out of the ground with one hand. This tree was doing great. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was in full bloom - beautiful.

Les...

[gjbingham]

Re: Got Wind?

Hopefully the fires there don't burn it up after all that working getting it back in the ground

[Frances]

Re: Got Wind?

just do what the wife wants...

problem solved

......for now!..........

You know, Dave may have his faults, but I can't help thinking he must be a wonderful husband...

[Acoma]

Re: Got Wind?

Les, I was waiting for our fence to disappear. The winds were unbelievable. Talk about crazy days: countless earthquakes and winds. An April I want to forget. I would be concerned about how much root damage you endured. If you lost lots of roots, you may not save it. Some roots, ok. trim the top. Think about it this way, the trees roots should be deep or expansive similar to the tree. If your tree had clay issue, the tree would be a dwarf, or you would have root rot.

[mfiore]

Re: Got Wind?

Les,

Looks awfully close to the house. I'd be concerned about trying to re-root it. I don't know how stable trees are after that. You were fortunate this time, next wind could blow the tree through the window.

[Acoma]

Re: Got Wind?

The winds have yet to cease. They have let up is all. I would not want to be a pilot landing at the airport in these winds.