Dolgo Apple (fall delivery)

Apples are a species that have interesting silvopasture applications when the fit is right. They are a great option for pigs and turkeys, providing valuable and reliable high-sugar fruits during a very long season. The wonderful thing about apples is that so much work has been done on them that there are hundreds, even thousands of cultivars to choose from, so consistent drop from summer through winter is possible with careful planning. The downside is that they don’t last very long on the ground (unless maybe it’s a late-dropping storage variety), such that they will be harder to make use of in a rotational grazing system where livestock don’t cycle back for 30 days or more. That said, for the many producers out there who continuously graze, apples can be a great source of energy for a very long portion of the year, addressing the shortfall of energy in a ruminant’s diet. Having constant access to apples also means that cattle rumens can adjust to the high sugar content, since cattle can have issues if they go from no apples to lots of apples all at once—as with many foods.

Dolgo has medium-large crabapples for the type, typically 1 to 1.5 inches, with an elongated shape distinguishing it from round varieties. This Siberian native is extraordinarily hardy, being planted for jellies, cider production, wildlife habitat, or as a superior pollinator with a long flowering period. It has excellent disease resistance across the board, showing immunity or strong resistance to scab, cedar apple rust, powdery mildew, and fireblight. It begins dropping in late August and continues through September into October. It is hardy in zones 3-8, tolerating temperatures to -40°F or below. Planted as one of the most reliable and disease-free varieties available.

Volume discounts: 4-9 trees $48,  10-24 trees $32,  25-99 trees $24,  100-249 trees $18.50,  250+ trees $15

Shipping: This product will ship out in  November or early December as a bare root tree.  If your ground is likely to be frozen by that time, we recommend a spring shipment.  

Local pickup options:

December 2 from 9am-5pm at TFG shop on 2363 Stumptown Rd, Lancaster, PA 17602 

December 5 from 8am-5pm at Rodale Institute on Siegfriedale Rd, Kutztown, PA 19530 (at Beyond Grass and Grain)