Hi Margaret, In my case, I'm assuming that the old apple trees on our property came from seed, not from grafting (although I've seen old grafted trees where there's little evidence of the original graft--at least to my untrained eye). I think you're asking whether the *seed* from an apple off a tree that was itself grown from seed will be more likely than a seed from a grafted tree to grow a new tree with similar characteristics (?). I'd say that it will likely share some characteristics with the original tree, but (as with any apple tree grown from seed) will also express characteristics from whatever tree happened to pollinate it. The seeds will always be a genetic lottery. If you want to grow a bunch more trees just like the original, you'd want to cut some fruit wood off your old apple tree and graft those onto rootstocks. Doing so may be worth it--maybe you've got a "lost" variety or something great that's never been discovered.

There is a 100% chance the tree will flower & bear frut. BUT ther is a 0% chance the fruit will be exactly like the tree your grandfather palnted. Can grow in a container for 3-5 years. (if container large enough)can transplant any time including direct sow the seed. To germinate seed store at 40F for 90 days then lightly cover the seed soil temp 65-70f for germination..... NOW if wish to have frut exactly like the one from yard either graft onto a root stock or try cuttings 4-6 inches long of firm new growth. apply 0.3 to 0.8% IBA (Rooting hormone) stick in well drained soil & mist

I second that question....how do you know one tree is a caprifig? Do the fruits just not taste good? As far as planting seeds goes....I suppose only people who love to fish would really understand the urge to spend the time and effort on the suspense factor. I LOVE to fish, especially in ocean....why? Because I never know what's going to come up on the end of my hook....it could be nothing. It could be something I don't want there (like a barracuda), or it could be DINNER! :) How many hours does it take to catch a whopper? Who knows? Some people spend years, some have beginner's luck, and others keep trying because it's the suspense factor. Every time *could* be THE time that they catch the "big one"! Now, I'm not a sporting fisher(wo)man by any means, and to be honest, I seldom go. But I do enjoy it for the same reasons I would enjoy planting seeds from my favorite fig trees! :) I have all the time in the world to wait, so it doesn't bother me one bit. What if something good comes out of the several hundred tries I make? It would be worth it then, right? :) ~ Erin

This is a great project for a five year old. From such small beginnings passionate gardeners often grow. Plus, anything that involves the actual world as opposed to the virtual/digital one is very important for all kids today. If the apple trees in question have just germinated this year, planting them out for this coming winter would be very risky. They need more size and root development to have a fighting chance of coping with cold, wind, predation from mice, voles, etc. Growing them on in containers for at least a year - 2 would better - would greatly increase their chances for survival. An allee is a double row of trees with a path - an alley - running between. They can be any length you care to make them, but would probably not look terribly allee-like if not of sufficient length. Perhaps you can make this a long term project that involves planting seeds for several years and gradually lengthening your rows. Traditionally, allees have been planted with a single species of tree, but there is no reason way species could not be mixed. Your son could try different seeds and wind up with a planting that is uniquely his. As for spacing, you could place them close together to begin with, four or five feet, say and then remove every other one as they grow to close to each other. This should probably take 20 years or so with all seed grown trees.