Sansa Apple tree

Owner: John

Location: Komagane-Shi,, NAGANO-KEN, Japan

Age:	Planted in about
Rootstock:	M9 interstock
Soil:	Poor soil. Low in organic material. High in minerals (iron). Neutral PH.
Climate at this location:	Very cold winters and semi-tropical, humid summers.
Pruning:	None at this time (seedlings)
Tree form:	Central leader (widest at bottom)
Height:	Up to 6ft / 2m
Cropping:	Not specified
Growth:	This tree grows fairly well here
Herbicides:	Manual treatment (hoeing and weeding)
Pesticides:	Organic treatments
Local pests:	Shinkui-mushi (applecore grubs), hairy caterpillar, deer, birds.

Owner's comments

Locally sourced seedlings planted out in the nursery in early 2010 and then moved into the main nursery in early 2011. When moved to the main orchard, the lower, non-M9 roots were firmly wired to prevent further growth and to encourage the M9 interstock to develop. We may dig in from the side and completely sever the (wired) non-M9 root-ball this spring (2012), but as yet I'm not convinced that the extra root disturbance is warranted.