apple trees?

[wipartimer]

anyone plant apple trees for deer? I just bought some forestland, can't really clear any of it for a traditional type food plot, so I was thinking of putting in a couple stand sof apple trees as a treat/ food source for deer. What do you guys think? BTW its in central wisconsin.

[dukkillr]

Bought an 80 that has 4 batches of 6 planted at each of the corners.  The former owner planted them and managed the property strictly for whitetails.  He owned the place about 8 years so the trees are about 10-12 ft tall now.  The deer eat the apples the instant they can get at them.  Unfortunately that means they are gone by the October 1 bow season.  The area around them is in native prairie grass and the deer tend to bed in those areas.  Even when the apples are gone, they still spend most of their day in the area. 

Our trees are fenced to protect them.  Like I said, the instant they can get at those apples they will, and they'll rub and mess up the tree too...

[SDS-GEN]

I've got some wild apple trees growing on my place, they don't get hit too hard by the deer, I think there is just too much other food around for them to eat.  If you do plant trees for the deer look into crab apple trees.  The original old fashioned crab apples, not the newer ornamental trees.  They produce huge crops of apples, the apples stay on the tree a long time and don't rot as fast on the ground, also the trees tend to produce large crops every year instead of running on three year cycles like many trees.

[NONYA]

If you want to bring in the deer plant those big green apple,apple trees,they will travel mile to gorge themselves on  them,we have a few around the valley here and you cant keep the MD and WT off em.

[Mikey]

wipartimer:  you may want to check out the net for ideas on apples that drop late, or during your hunting season.  I have planted apple trees and when they drop the deer are on them right then and there.  So are the turkeys who peck them appart and get the seeds and some fruit.  I believe the Golden Delicious is the one that never drops - big green/gold apples - but the deer butt the tree to get them to fall. 

There are other apples that will drop late, or during your hunting season, and planting a variety can enhnace your 'orchard'.  You can purchase seedlings from nurseries you can locate on line and touch base with others in your area who have grown apples themselves.  I'd say to find out what might grow best in your area and where to get them.  And good luck.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Cheesehead]

I have seen deer standing on hind legs to pick apples directly off the tree.

Cheese

[wipartimer]

Thanks fior the input folks I think I will try several types togethr to extend the "drop" time. Also I've found a nursurey that offers a Hybird tree that supposedly has several kinds of apples on one tree for a longer fruit bearing season... we'll see.

[montveil]

You may want to consider late ripening apples  winter keepers to coincide with your hunting season. It will take several years for apples to bear fruit.
Companion deer browse plants could help fill in the gap-- contact your wildlife guys and see what deer like in your area. Brouse plants will also furnish cove.
In my area apples, grapes roses are favorates.

[montveil]

another thought, If you buy dwarf trees they will bear earlier but the deer will eat them to the ground, I would suggest semi-dwarf trees as they will get up to 10-20 feet tall and will bear in 2-4 years. You may have to provide some barrier to get them up to fruiting height

[NONYA]

plant the ones that drop in late fall,helps get the deer throug winter