Apple trees in shade & Antonovka rootstock

Most of my apple trees I've planted this past year are in full sun and are growing well.  I have about 3/4 of an acre that is heavily wooded with some sun pockets from the overstory and was wondering if there are apple trees or crabapple trees that can grow in shade? I do not want to clear any more land on my property as I have already cleared space for my kitchen garden.

When I've see wild apple trees in the woods it is usually in the understory and mostly shaded - I've observed this in nature but do you think it is possible in my context? Does it just slow the growth of the tree? I'm fine with that and waiting but I also don't want to waste my time planting 25 trees.

This is separate question but can you purchase Antonovka Apple rootstock and just grow it out for Antonovka apples?  I'm seeing the rootstock is much cheaper than nurseries are selling whips for planting.  It makes sense but I wasn't sure if something is done to the rootstock when it is used primarily for rootstock.

...can you purchase Antonovka Apple rootstock and just grow it out for Antonovka apples?  I'm seeing the rootstock is much cheaper than nurseries are selling whips for planting.

The root stock should be just fine.  I think that the huge difference in price is a supply/demand issue.  Somebody buying a tree for planting wants a fruit tree for their yard.  Somebody buying root stock is most likely a commercial enterprise who plans on grafting, and then selling apple trees.  Commercial interests expect to pay less than a home owner would.

I have heard mixed reviews on the Antonovka apple.  Some say that its texture is not that great.  Probably perfectly fine for juice/cider, or cooking purposes.  On the other hand, Antonovka is highly sought after in most of Russia, and parts of Poland.  

C Gallas wrote:
This is separate question but can you purchase Antonovka Apple rootstock and just grow it out for Antonovka apples?  I'm seeing the rootstock is much cheaper than nurseries are selling whips for planting.  It makes sense but I wasn't sure if something is done to the rootstock when it is used primarily for rootstock.

this is what i plan to do.
i plan to mass plant them in areas where animals can harvest the fruit drop. I will go back and selectively graft specific trees with "human grade apples" once i have a better idea of what their growing habits are.

We have a "little green apple" tree on the north side of a copse of woods that's been there since we moved in.  It's definitely growing mostly in the shade so your plan should work.  Now I am thinking that plan might be a good idea for me too.  Where were you going to buy the rootstock from?

Raintree has it cheap. Around 3.00.

If you are looking for Antonovka root stock (in bulk - 25 or more), try Lawyer Nursery in Montana

Ghislaine de Lessines wrote:We have a "little green apple" tree on the north side of a copse of woods that's been there since we moved in.  It's definitely growing mostly in the shade so your plan should work.  Now I am thinking that plan might be a good idea for me too.  Where were you going to buy the rootstock from?

Thanks for the links to the rootstock. I was just going to buy from FEDCO, I'm only looking to do a small amount of trees.  They are like $2.50 a piece I think in bundles of 10. They have super interesting scion wood-  great old maine heirloom apples.

C Gallas wrote:

Thanks for the links to the rootstock. I was just going to buy from FEDCO, I'm only looking to do a small amount of trees.  They are like $2.50 a piece I think in bundles of 10. They have super interesting scion wood-  great old maine heirloom apples.

I just got my FEDCO catalog yesterday and noticed the bundle of 10 was almost $30 so maybe the price went up this year.  Sounds about like Raintree though.  

Antonovka grows incredibly well from seed and is one of the only apples that grow true from seed. Probably because it is so old and stable. I have also found that Antonovka rootstocks I grew from seed myself were much healthier (as in grew better roots) than the ones I purchased. They only need 6 weeks of stratification (just pop them in the fridge in a baggie of moist soil), then plant in a starter mix, keep moist at around 60-70 degrees and you will see germination in about 10 days. I have been known to put very large amounts of Antonovka seeds into my fridge (after buying and eating lots of Antonovka apples) and then just planting the seeds in various locations all over the place in the ground, where I thought I might want apple trees in the future. I place 3-5 seeds per location a few inches apart, because germination outside can be iffy. If you have more than one come up, you can always transplant. But I have NEVER seen rootstock vigor like and in place seeded Antonovka anywhere else. Those trees are so pretty and locally adapted, you almost don’t want to cut them off and graft. And it’s fine if you don’t. Antonovka is a sublime baking & cooking apple. Best applesauce ever. Decent cider. There are plenty better fresh eating apples obviously. But before buying mediocre rootstocks, if time is not a factor, I’d highly recommend growing Antonovka from seed. Even if you grow them in pots, they will likely be far superior to a bundle of rootstocks you buy off the Internet.

Inga Able wrote:Antonovka grows incredibly well from seed and is one of the only apples that grow true from seed. Probably because it is so old and stable. I have also found that Antonovka rootstocks I grew from seed myself were much healthier (as in grew better roots) than the ones I purchased. They only need 6 weeks of stratification (just pop them in the fridge in a baggie of moist soil), then plant in a starter mix, keep moist at around 60-70 degrees and you will see germination in about 10 days. I have been known to put very large amounts of Antonovka seeds into my fridge (after buying and eating lots of Antonovka apples) and then just planting the seeds in various locations all over the place in the ground, where I thought I might want apple trees in the future. I place 3-5 seeds per location a few inches apart, because germination outside can be iffy. If you have more than one come up, you can always transplant. But I have NEVER seen rootstock vigor like and in place seeded Antonovka anywhere else. Those trees are so pretty and locally adapted, you almost don’t want to cut them off and graft. And it’s fine if you don’t. Antonovka is a sublime baking & cooking apple. Best applesauce ever. Decent cider. There are plenty better fresh eating apples obviously. But before buying mediocre rootstocks, if time is not a factor, I’d highly recommend growing Antonovka from seed. Even if you grow them in pots, they will likely be far superior to a bundle of rootstocks you buy off the Internet.

I'm happy to read this, Inga. I've got a young Antonovka grown from seed that I want to live a long and happy life without meddling. Your review of the fruit's qualities is encouraging, but I have to ask where you are that you are buying Antonovka apples? Hopefully, someday there'll be a surplus of them in my area.

I was in north eastern Germany, about 30 miles from the polish border. Lots of them there everywhere, even along roadsides. Now that I’m in the US I usually buy seeds in bulk online. Fedco sells them and if I just want cheap seeds for lots of rootstock, this Amazon offer from MySeeds has germinated at a surprisingly high rate for me, as far as I can tell is growing strong rootstocks and 400 seeds for $14 are hard to beat.
BIG PACK - (400) Antonovka Apple - Malus pumila Antonovka Seeds - Very COLD Hardy Zone 3+ Grown for its Rootstock used for Grafting - Non-GMO Seeds by MySeeds.Co (Big Pack - Apple Antonovka) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0859LVYWM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_6Z79B5ZNSD9RG82BF4S7