Thanks to you both, floral_uk and TurCre. Pomologists is the word I was searching for. And, TruCre, I will give up any thoughts of rescuing a that questionable tree and consider having the cemetery apple tree grafted. Three to seven years seems like a long while, but I suppose it isn't. I'm hoping to move from here before then, so if I get the dead apple walking tree grafted, perhaps I can move it with me. Thanks again.

I have two composting areas close to trees. One is under a big old mulberry tree and the roots of it are invasive, but it takes a while. I tried to kill the tree by cutting a ring around it, but it did not work. If I turn my compost and use it when it is ready, or soon afterwards, there is no problem with the roots. If it sets too long, they do tend to try to grow up into the compost. I recently moved a bit of left over horse manure and sand that had been in one spot for about two years or more and found which basically ran under the pile, on out toward the garden, and had only put up one small root into the pile. . It is not very hard to keep them out if you turn the pile occasionally or use it up fairly often. If not and a good sized root grows under it, a good sharp axe will take care of them. On the other hand, my other composting area is in the far back corner of the yard inside a fenced area that I call my "compound" that includes my tractor shed and shop and hides most of my junk. There are lots of Oak trees in this area, they surround and shade the composting pile area which has been there for 5 to 7 years and thus far the oaks have never put any roots into the pile. They do drop some acorns in a good year, which sprout, but they are no problem to take care of. There is a decorative vine growing on the fence from the other side which puts out a few roots, but they are pretty easily controlled by turning the pile every now and then. I would say just go ahead and put your pile or bin where it is best for you and just do not leave the compost sitting there for a year or two. Bill P.

IMO. A list of best to not so good. 1)Cement slab &/or compost bin, black plastic from Big Lots (they are too small for me), but will keep the root out of the compost. 2)Wooden deck, 2-4X4's on concrete blocks with 2x6's boards for the deck. 3)Sheet of lexan(plexglass plastic sheet1/8" thick) from big box store. 4)Old carpet-bottom side up will last 24 months or so, longer with clear roll plastic under carpet, like goes on green house & root prune tree. 5)Cut tree down or move compost pile. I have not used these as my compost piles are in an open field. Some of these are costly answers, but they will work. Ask question & I can give you more details, I will need size of compost pile.

lilacs of may - I agree w/the "need more greens" opinions above (which is not to say that I disagree w/the "need more water" opinions - I just don't have an opinion about the water thing b/c my bin is in a container & I tend to have too much moisture more often than not). The way you described it - 1 thin green, 1 thick brown of mostly leaves - seems like it would take a real long time to decompose. I've noticed leaves in my bin take a long time, which I didn't expect. But, my bin takes a short time to decompose when I've used mostly garden/kitchen waste, intense greens (such as UCG/dried blood/alfalfa), and some browns such as (leaves/paper towels/napkins/shredded moistened cardboard) - IF I turn it ALOT (again it's in a bin so this might not be as crucial to your formula). Plus, I also find that we each have a preferred "formula" for our individual systems, lifestyles & area of the country. I've added below a link to my list of 201 Compost Ingredients, if you want to brainstorm about more "greens." BTW, we just got our first Starbucks (10 min away) - prior to that the nearest starbucks was 1 hour away & that was just in a bookstore. I am already collecting from a local coffee shop (actually, they were new about 2 yrs ago - pre-local-Starbucks - and I told them about Starbucks' habit of bagging & offering UCG for peoples' gardens & so now they're doing it! yippee!). And, actually, most of the UCG I gather go directly onto soil (under the store-bought pine/other bark/shredded mulch) or onto the grass. So, do it again this year & keep experimenting to see what works! polly in IL - that is BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for the pix! All the Best, Tree Here is a link that might be useful: 201 Compost ingredients