The Granny Smith Apple tree is enjoying a healthy year of growth. Just like the O'Henry Peach, the exposed trunk was wrapped for protection from sunburn/sun scald. The immature trunk was cracking and blistering until shade or cover was provided. This method of protection is giving much better results than using the Tommy Bahama umbrellas - although in 2011, Farmer MacGregor constructed a sun screen using shade cloth and fence posts. The wrap is much easier. The tree is getting the amount of sun needed while the wrap is providing protection.
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| Granny Smith Apple - January 1, 2010 |
Also like the peach tree, the apple tree was only producing leaves at the ends of the limbs - similar to pom poms. It has produced apples all along since it was planted in 2009. Apples are plumping up (see 1st image above) and should be ready sometime in October-November according to the
Dave Wilson tag that was attached to the sapling.
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| Granny Smith Apple - July 29. 2012 |
Today, the tree continues to bloom and produce more leaves to shade the limbs and branches. Pruning the apple tree is rare. The spurs which produce the fruit season after season form on wood at least 1 year old. Since this is an immature tree, spur growth is welcome.
Granny Smith Trivia:
The cultivar originated in Eastwood, New South Wales, Australia (now a suburb of Sydney) in 1868 from a chance seedling propagated by Kentish-born Maria Ann Smith (nee Sherwood 1799-1870), from whom comes the name. Widely propagated in New Zealand, it was introduced to the United Kingdom around 1935 and the United States in 1972 by Grady Auvil. The advent of the Granny Smith Apple is celebrated annually in Eastwood with the Granny Smith Festival. - so says Wikipedia.
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| Good Ol' Maria Ann Sherwood Smith - Granny Smith |
1 comment:
Somehow I always imagined Granny Smith as a pie maker. And she probably did!
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