Timber Apple Tree Seeds

Apple Selections Based on Timber Growth Habit, Vigorous Rootstock, Strong Central Leader

Timber apple trees are selected apple seedlings known for their upright and straight growth habit. This non-apple looking tree is the result of finding seedlings with both strong central leader growth habit as well as fast growth creating a large trunk early on in the apple trees life.  Trees show high vigor and low yield of small bright red or yellow crabapples.  The low yield of apples combined with the extreme vigor make the trees oak like in appearance.  A number of trees have been selected and moved out to my plantings and a few were left in place surrounded by other seedling apples. The trees structure is not related entirely to pruning instead showing a strong genetic propensity for central leader growth, good caliper and few side branches. Seedlings are vigorous and can be used for longer lived rootstocks with strong growth habit with deep roots. This particular apple tree makes it possible to grow it in a forest type setting again for lumber and wood production. Timber apples have this competitive advantage. 

Clones could be taken from these same trees to further establish and enhance the timber quality even if it is bred with more culinary apples.

Scions are available upon request with the purchase of the seeds. For scions, I will send two cultivars upon request. 

These selections were discovered in a grow out of about 3000 seedlings of cultivated apples found near some high rise apartments in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  We planted the seeds out and 30 years later we took the best of  the  'apples that look like oak trees" and grew them in an open field with other nuts and oak trees.   The fruits are small from 1/2 to 1 inch in size and the trees in general are not heavy bearing. Obviously most of the energy of the tree goes into its trunk and branches. I began limbing them up and collecting the seeds and scions after 30 years of experimentation. Below are the selections:

"Timber One"  Selected as one of the best strongest upright trees with wide branching. Small red astringent fruit. Not a heavy producer of crabapples  but the tree is vigorous because of the smaller load of fruit. Compared to the nearby apples it is three times the height of them. Not a fastigiate selection, "Oak-Like" is the strongest growing type found. 

"Timber Two"  Similar to one but with yellow fruit. Strong growing with central leader. Fast growing wide branching selection. The opposite of all crabapples.

"Timber Three" Has the most fastigiate of the group with super strong central trunk. Has not fruited after 25 years. Dense head of clean foliage in an area of high humidity and late frosts. Very clean trunk. 

"Timber Four" Vigorous tall tree from the original batch with strong no branching trunk until 15 feet. Red, non-astringent fruit that is not tart.

"Timber Five"  The most vigorous form which was cut down accidently when it was a few years old and regrew very quickly reaching 40 ft. easily. Red fruit.

"Timber Six" A bit more fastigiate selection with so far little or no fruit production. Super clean and strong growth with a central leader and strong upright growth. Develops a strong trunk with little branching with minimal pruning.

Scions available upon request with seeds. 

To germinate the seed: Like other apples, store in a moist media in a zip lock bag in your fridge for 90-120 days. Seeds will begin sprouting after 60-90 days. Plant in a pot covering the seed lightly by 1/8 inch of soil. Careful about damp off so be careful not to over water to prevent phytophora.