This is typical of an Anna :-) My Anna does the same thing. I just strip them off and toss the leaves out to keep fungus issues down. They will still push out new growth and blossoms, but many of the low-chill varieties will hang onto their leaves. There are debates that abound about stripping the leaves. I only do it to keep things "clean", and reduce the chance of fungal infections getting a hold, not because it will help new growth appear. Patty S.

Hi Harvestman- No need to feel bad. On the contrary, you opinion (which was shared by a couple other posters) gives me a more balanced, and probably accurate, view of Liberty. Perhaps weÂll get a couple cool summers, and IÂll wonder what the heck I ever saw in it! In addition to all the normal variables that affect an apple, (location, climate, soil, weather, etc), I think this is a good example of when we evaluate a particular apple (i.e. I like it/ I hate it), we see that not everyoneÂs criteria is the same: A) A commercial growerÂs #1 criteria might simply be the name any name that isnÂt recognized by the public might not sell well. B) Perhaps a moderately-apple-educated grower like found on this forum might have flavor to be their #1 criteria. They know how to care for apples, and they want the best possible product. C) Perhaps a home-grower might have low maintenance as their #1 criteria. After all, anything that they grow themselves will taste much better than anything found in the stores, and really, theyÂre too busy with work and taking the kids to soccer practice to worry about their apple tree. I think IÂm somewhere between B & C. Perhaps youÂre somewhere between A & B? Anyhow, in the future, I really look forward to trying some of these really exceptional flavored ones that people keep talking about! Thanks as always for all your advice (even when it isn't what I necessarily want to hear! :-) ), -Glenn

Hi Konrad: I agree but we haven't had any hail this summer (for a change) and it only appears on the sides, none on the tops where I'd expect hail damage to be the worst. Michael

I thought the roots were just ok-I've seen better and worse bare root trees. EDIT: Sorry, I checked and I have no pictures I thought if I contacted the nursery and they wanted more info I might need to dig up the roots for a post-mortem exam and picture And if it died from a root related problem, it won't sucker. I suppose I need to dig it up and look at them. This post was edited by eboone on Thu, Sep 11, 14 at 8:01