I was tired last night, maybe a little drunk, wasn't my usually verbose self. So as not to disappoint....
If memory serves I think I ordered the 4-5 foot trees. 2 of them. Each around $200, plus insurance. I can't remember how much the insurance was, but it was good that I did purchase insurance given the Stella Cherry tree in the front yard died. It may have been my fault for not watering over the winter. Who knew, I didn't. We did have a few really cold snaps, that may have killed it. They sent me another, insurance is good for replacement one time only, after that you're on your own. It may not have been wise, but I planted it in the same spot, because thats where I want it. We'll see. One 3-in-1 apple tree has Granny Smith, Gala, and Red Delicious. The other GS, Gala, and Fuji. They've each grown about a foot upwards, and I'd say probably a foot outwards. All grafts have apples, some more than others, with the exception being the Fuji which has none. I'm a little disappointed in that graft as it is low and curves downward. I'll either attempt to train it upwards or prune back to an upwards pointing branch. The Red Delicious appears to be the most productive as of this point. Not eyeballing it at this moment, I'd say more than 5 and less than 10 apples.
Problems, I has them. For one, I probably planted one of the apple trees over the septic leach field. Dumbass move. Can't be eating apples grown over a leach field. What the hell do/did I know about such things. Well, I knew where the septic tank was as we had an inspection prior to purchase of the home, pumped out as well. I thought the leach field went a different direction. I later got records from the county which show it was not where I thought. I don't want to do it because I don't know if it will harm the tree, but it has to be moved, transplanted. Bummer.
Second, very important for anyone who wants to plant apple trees(look back in this thread for a mention and pictures), there is something I didn't know was a thing, Cedar Apple Rust. I'm still learning. Red Cedar trees(as well as relatives of the red cedar if I am not mistaken, juniper, etc), in close proximity to apple trees they in the spring rainy season form these orange balls which swell after rain, forming tentacles. Bizarre alien looking things. As they dry spores are blown by the wind...to the apple trees. To prevent this from happening Cedar trees within 10 miles should be axed, cut down. Let me say that again, up to 10 miles. No way possible. I could/should have sprayed them with a fungicide, several times, copper, but should not in the heat of the day or when it is calling for rain. I dropped the ball, combination busy, and didn't not take the appropriate opportunity. A part of me was, whatever, we'll see what happens. The trees are covered in rust, but still look somewhat happy. The rust will harm the fruit, from what I've read/studied. Frankly, I'm a bit disgusted with the situation. I don't know that I see myself spraying fungicide several times in the spring throughout the life of those trees. There are in my estimation less desirable apple trees that are immune or resistant to cedar apple rust. Less flavorful, harder texture maybe, but still useful, cider, maybe baking. I don't know, we'll see.
It's a learning process, for a city boy.
Just took a picture, or two. I need to mow the grass(such that it is) and clover back there. The wife put that netting to cradle the apples, I don't know. The cages are made with 5' wielded wire fencing, and Pex tubing, my own design, it's worked pretty good keeping the deer off of them. They will outgrow the fencing, then I will have to think of something else.
