I had heard the second story but not the first. Good stuff.
Regards,
Kris
Thanks Warren for getting this thread back on track.
Regards,
Kris
Smaller, younger apple trees bear more fruit in a given area than large, mature trees. They are also much easier to maintain, treat for pests, and harvest. I didn't realize this until I bought a house with a small orchard and learned it first hand. I have some trees about 10 inches in diameter that I will probably turn into lumber when they eventually come down. In general though, the things that make for a good fruit tree make for a bad lumber tree, particularly the short trunk.