I bought a bareroot apple tree the other day at Costco, mainly because they were cheap and I wanted to give it a try. It came with the roots wrapped in a plastic bag.

I plan to plant it in an enclosed area that the deer can't reach, but when will it be safe to plant? I'm at 8,300'. It already has little leaves at the top. Do I need to water it in it's bag?

Anyone had any luck, good or bad, with fruit trees up here?

They are extremely hardy; Grand Mesa is at 6500 ft and they grow some of the best peaches and apples in the country.

We had two dwarf apple trees at 7000' and had so many apples we brought a bushel to the horse boarding ranch.

The only effect altitude has on them is the length of fruiting season. Didn't matter if the flowers were bit by frost, it still produced.

Keep the receipt; since Lowe's and Home Depot take back trees I am certain Costco wouldn't want to feel left out.

I have been considering some fruit trees for the longest time. But when I tell a nursery that I am at 9000ft, they say "No way" and will not honor their "guarantee" above 7500ft.

I started a thread with the same topic last year:
http://www.pinecam.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... sc&start=0

From internet searches, I think it might be possible to get fruit with certain varieties but I suspect they will need special attention. Last year I settled for a dwarf Myer lemon which I am growing indoors (quite successfully I might add ). I want to try apples, peaches or plums outdoors this year. But I'm scared. By the time I pay for the tree, someone to transport it to Bailey and someone to dig a deep enough hole for me, the cost becomes shocking

DaffyDick, I have no idea when is the best time. Please let us know what you find out. But I am pretty sure that in order to get fruit you will need a second tree (preferably a different variety). Unless the tree you purchased has another apple grafted onto it.

I would plant this tree asap. Trim any broken or crushed roots with a clean sharp tool. Soak the tree in water while your digging. These leaves may burn under our bright sun or even a light frost but most likely the tree will send out new leaves. Most apple trees take 7 to 10 years to bare fruit. Water this tree, a full soaking 2x a week thru the growing season and mulch it about 3" deep after first frost. Good luck.

Apple trees have to be cross pollinated.. it won't matter when you plant it, it will be 2-3 years before you get anything off of it.. here's a link of what apples need as far as cross pollinating.. it's usually not the same apple tree you need..
I tried apple, pear and cherry, with no luck.. but if I do it again, I'm going to get an auto drip system. I think they dried out too much during the day.. and deer got one of them.. Good luck!!

Well, dang! If Farmgirl can't get fruit trees to grow up here, then I'm totally discouraged.

hahaha.. I wasn't fully into gardening and I was the one that killed them.. I had too many frying pans in the fire and sort of neglected them.. I'm going to try one more time.. and see if it can be done..

oops.. and here's the link to the cross pollination chart..

http://www.acnursery.com/apple_pollinizer.pdf

I think I may wait to plant it until after this weekend because it sounds like it's going to be a little chilly.

At this time, I'm only wanting something that gives me a little Spring color. It this one survives, I may try another one later and keep my fingers crossed in hopes of getting some fruit.

Sounds like a good plan! Do you know type of apple tree it is?

I just looked at the tags on the tree and it's a hardy combination apple (semi-dwarf) - MacIntosh & Honeycrisp. Guess I won't have to worry about cross pollination. The tag says it's self-pollinating.

WOW, that's awesome! Costco you said