I am assuming that these are for your consumption, correct?
First the deer are going to destroy them unless they are caged. This can be done individually or fence in the complete area. I do mine individually (60 trees in two orchards). For the fence I use 4' or 5' tall 2x4 welded fencing and 12' for each tree. I use 2 metal t post and make a circle out of the fencing around the tree, roughly 5' diameter.
Before we talk varieties we need to discuss how big you would like the trees to be, this will go a long way in determining the rootstock.
Varieties, get the ones the you like. Lots of folks love Honeycrisp, I don't have any yet but am enjoying me liberties and goldrush. The rest of my orchard isn't producing much yet. A lot of fruit trees need another tree/variety to pollinate it, so keep this in mind. Crab apple trees are great pollinates.
I get all of my apple trees from Century Farm Orchards, great trees, great advice/help, and reasonable prices.
Last edited by lassig; 08/10/12 11:24 AM.
