Blue Hill Big Ten Apple 2yr Old Bare Root Tree

This grafted apple tree produces a sweet and very edible three-inch apple. As you can see in the pictures of the original Big Ten™, this tree is immaculate in a no-spray situation, with all major apple tree diseases heavily present within the immediate area. The fruit ripens and falls free from the tree from late October through the month of November here in the north. The vigor is good, and the tree seems pretty precocious, as seen in the picture of a freshly planted one setting a good amount of fruit. Big Ten is upright and has weeping limbs from carrying massive fruit loads through the years. The original tree stands in Plant hardiness zone 4b, but this tree has seen -35 in its lifetime, making it suitable for plant hardiness zones 4-7. Mature height will be 20’+

BIG TEN™ APPLE

The Big Ten™ apple is a tree that has proven to be exceptional in many ways. This apple is late dropping, allowing it to attract deer at a great time of year during the rut, but it will also be the cleanest apple tree you will ever plant. I have sent test trees out across the country of Big Ten, and everyone has returned with the same results and said, “This is the cleanest apple tree in my orchards.” This tree goes well above the four major apple tree diseases we generally look for. The apple is large, crisp, and sweet and will go much further than feeding wildlife as there is little to no imperfection in the fruit in a no-spray situation. The original tree resides in Northern NY and is one of the 3,000 wild apples on the property, which has proven to be exceptional.

Big Ten™ Apple tree produces a sweet and very edible three-inch apple. As you can see in the picture of Big Ten, this tree in a no-spray situation is immaculate, with all major apple tree diseases heavily present within the immediate area. The fruit ripens and falls free from the tree from late October through November here in the north. The Vigor is good, and the tree looks pretty precocious, as seen in the picture of a freshly planted one setting a good amount of fruit. Big Ten™ is upright and has weeping limbs from carrying the massive fruit loads throughout the years. The original tree stands in plant hardiness zone 4b but has seen -35 temps in its lifetime, making it suitable for plant hardiness zones 4-7. Mature height will be 20’+.

ROOTSTOCK FOR BIG TEN™ APPLE

This grafted tree is attached to a standard, cold hardy, and vigorous root. This rootstock is an excellent choice for wildlife trees because it produces a full-size 20′ to 30′ tree. Producing a full-size tree for wildlife means much more fruit on a given tree. A full-size root also extends the life of your tree as it does not restrict the growth.

This rootstock develops deep roots, making it exceptionally well anchored. Therefore, it is also highly drought-tolerant. These roots penetrate well into the subsoil, pulling up lost nutrients. Therefore, this rootstock is an excellent all-around rootstock for wildlife plantings. Big Ten™ Apple is very precocious, with many trees producing quickly even when grafted onto a standard root.

POLLINATION FOR BIG TEN™ APPLE

Plant at least one apple, apple crab, or crabapple variety near each other for pollination. Grams Gift crabapple, which blooms for a very long period, makes an excellent pollinator for apples and crabapples.

You want to plant different named trees within the apple family for pollination. Therefore, you need to mix the names of the grafted trees when planting, as trees with the same name are genetically identical and, most times, do not pollinate each other.

Picture that bee leaving one tree and hitting the next one. You want that bee to land on a tree blossom with a different name. Trees in the apple family flower over about 14 days, with each tree blooming for around 7 to 10 days. Big Ten™ apple blooms mid-to-late season, therefore providing plenty of pollination to early and late-season trees and receiving plenty.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR BIG TEN™ APPLE

Plant all apples and crabapples in moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.8 and 7. This soil should have adequate nutrient levels for optimal growth and fruit production.

If you have not completed a soil test, click here to improve your soil. Many products can supply your tree with the two most essential nutrients: phosphorus and potassium. However, adjust these nutrients when planting your tree or the prior year, as the soil two feet into the earth has never had any amendments, and these two nutrients are not very mobile.

Per a soil test, if your soil pH is lower than recommended, you can adjust it by mixing a few handfuls of pelletized lime into your soil when planting.

Big Ten™ Apple requires 6 hours of sunlight for growth and fruit production. Space trees 20′ apart and use at least 5′ cages to protect your trees. This process will ensure your deer eat your fruit in a few years, not your trees this year.

We also recommend wrapping an aluminum window screen around the base of your tree, using a 2’x 2′ breathable weed mat, and adding 10 gallons of stone to that weed mat.