Do Your Wild Apples Need Release?

The purpose of releasing apple trees is to benefit wildlife habitat and species diversity. Old orchards range in size and vigor; even some of the most suppressed areas are able to rebound after many years of neglect. Most of Vermont was cleared for agriculture 150 years ago. Some of these areas were planted with apple trees to feed livestock and families. The majority of the state has grown back to forest since then and has resulted in shaded apple trees that don’t have enough room or sunlight to grow. With some attention many of these trees will rebound and begin to produce apples once again.

An excellent fact sheet on wild apple trees, and a step-by-step guide to their care, pruning, and release is here [pdf].

Here is an apple tree with brush grown up around it before release.

 

And here is the same tree following release.

 

 

Apple tree release can also occur in more mature forests (above).

When brush-hogging to open fields, care can be used around apple trees to asure they can be retained.

For more information on Vermont state forests, state parks, and wildlife management areas apple tree release work-days contact Windham and Windsor County State Lands Forester Aaron Hurst at aaron.hurst@state.vt.us

This ACORN monthly highlight by: Sam Schneski, Forester, VT Forests, Parks, and Recreation.