Dolgo Crabapple

westfalcon4

Button Buck
Has anyone tried growing dolgo crabapples for wildlife? I’m mostly interested if anyone has had any success/failures growing them in the coastal plains?
 

2nd Calling

Six Pointer
Has anyone tried growing dolgo crabapples for wildlife? I’m mostly interested if anyone has had any success/failures growing them in the coastal plains?
Additional recommendation based on my limited experience, get as tall a tree you can when you plant...I aim for 4 or more feet tall, survival has been excellent.
 

westfalcon4

Button Buck
Additional recommendation based on my limited experience, get as tall a tree you can when you plant...I aim for 4 or more feet tall, survival has been excellent.

Thanks for that advice. I was actually debating whether to go with a younger or more established tree, wondering which I’d have more success with. Glad to hear you’ve had good success.
 

2nd Calling

Six Pointer
Thanks for that advice. I was actually debating whether to go with a younger or more established tree, wondering which I’d have more success with. Glad to hear you’ve had good success.
I plant with 4 foot tree tubes, 3x3 weed mats, and 5 foot cage...most trees have grown 2 to 3 feet this year.
 

2nd Calling

Six Pointer
Do you amend the soil at all while planting? I’ve read some conflicting info on amending sandy soil with mulch, potting soil, etc.
Honestly, they are planted on the edge of my food plots, which were amended with lime and fertilizer based on soil sample results. I put a little water retaining amendment in the bottom of the hole and use powder mychorizal fungi on the roots before placing it in the hole. Plenty of water, and if you can water them with about 5 gallons every week or two, you should be golden. I have some spots that are sandy and some that are heavy clay, this process seems successful on both. If you want to discuss it more, I'm more than happy to share my process in more detail, I bet you could improve upon it. I do wish you luck with planting your trees though.
 

westfalcon4

Button Buck
Honestly, they are planted on the edge of my food plots, which were amended with lime and fertilizer based on soil sample results. I put a little water retaining amendment in the bottom of the hole and use powder mychorizal fungi on the roots before placing it in the hole. Plenty of water, and if you can water them with about 5 gallons every week or two, you should be golden. I have some spots that are sandy and some that are heavy clay, this process seems successful on both. If you want to discuss it more, I'm more than happy to share my process in more detail, I bet you could improve upon it. I do wish you luck with planting your trees though.

This is my first go around planting in the coastal plains, as all of my planting/management experience has been in Pennsylvania. I really like your method though. I’d love to have any information you’re willing to share. I’m also planning on doing a soil test and planting on the edges of food plots.
 

2nd Calling

Six Pointer
This is my first go around planting in the coastal plains, as all of my planting/management experience has been in Pennsylvania. I really like your method though. I’d love to have any information you’re willing to share. I’m also planning on doing a soil test and planting on the edges of food plots.
If you'd like, send me a PM and I'll give you my number if you want to talk.
 

Justin

Old Mossy Horns
Do you amend the soil at all while planting? I’ve read some conflicting info on amending sandy soil with mulch, potting soil, etc.

Don’t. Soil needs to be the same medium as surrounding soil, as closely as possible. Amendments if made, need to be in the form of compost/chips/mulch on top around the tree but not actually touching the trunk.
 

kahunter

Eight Pointer
Don’t. Soil needs to be the same medium as surrounding soil, as closely as possible. Amendments if made, need to be in the form of compost/chips/mulch on top around the tree but not actually touching the trunk.
Have to respectably disagree. Dig a decent size hole 2 times the size of the rootall (give our take. Doesnt have to be perfect). Backfill the whole and pack in around the tree (with foot, not too packed) until four to six inches from grade. amend the last 4-6" of soil with compost and fertilizer (10-10-10) is fine. Not too much fert at first. I reccomend fertilizing twice a year with 10-10-10 or once a year with a good time released fertilizer. You can do a tree ring if you want but its not necessary. Plant the tree slightly above grade. Do not put any dirt on top of the root ball. Put a 2 to 3 " layer of mulch on top of the tree. Do not put any mulch touching the trunk EVER. For some reason people like to pile mulch on top of the root ball and against the trunk nowadays. Happy to help if you have any questions.

Not sure about fire blight this young but we havent planted any crabapple in a long time bc of fire blight so keep an eye on that. Good luck
 

Justin

Old Mossy Horns
Have to respectably disagree. Dig a decent size hole 2 times the size of the rootall (give our take. Doesnt have to be perfect). Backfill the whole and pack in around the tree (with foot, not too packed) until four to six inches from grade. amend the last 4-6" of soil with compost and fertilizer (10-10-10) is fine. Not too much fert at first. I reccomend fertilizing twice a year with 10-10-10 or once a year with a good time released fertilizer. You can do a tree ring if you want but its not necessary. Plant the tree slightly above grade. Do not put any dirt on top of the root ball. Put a 2 to 3 " layer of mulch on top of the tree. Do not put any mulch touching the trunk EVER. For some reason people like to pile mulch on top of the root ball and against the trunk nowadays. Happy to help if you have any questions.

Not sure about fire blight this young but we havent planted any crabapple in a long time bc of fire blight so keep an eye on that. Good luck

I can agree with that as long as the roots aren’t damaged when amending that top 4-6. My comment was more along the lines of folks will take a football, wash the dirt away or knock as much of it off as possible, and fill the hole with potting mixture/sand/gravel/etc.
 
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