I am glad your tree has blossomed. I grew up near Moorpark, CA where the former Williams Ranch hosted acres and acres of Moorpark Apricot trees. That is long since gone and now filled with thousands of homes ironically called "Peach Hill" (I never could figure that out). When I was 5 years old I went to the Williams Ranch with my family to pick apricots. They were so juicy, big and sweet. I liked them so much my Mom let me plant a seed in the back yard planter (loaded with planter mix). No special preparation! About a year later it was about a foot tall. My Dad transplanted it and staked it up. We made a big berm and filled it up with water and then let a soaker hose sit there overnight on slow drip. It took 5 years for the tree to bear fruit but it was WORTH the wait. It didn't produce every year but rather about every other year. There were no other trees around it. I am sure that had something to do with it's pollination. We had that tree from 1961 to 1978 until they widened the city road and a fire engine sideswiped it!!! DONE! The damage was too traumatic and it was chopped down. We are left with many years of good memories and great fruit. The tree was a fantastic shade tree and beautiful piece of natures work. We had many family events around that old tree. I am now 55 years old and going to start growing a couple of apricot trees for future generations. Thanks for the great posts and memories!

Tom, Why *before* the dormant stage? Why not *during* the dormant stage? For the same reason we cut back the citrus after fruit production. Since we get little in the way of frost the extra growth prior to the dormant season will theoretically make the tree stronger through the dormant season and give it an extra kick after the end of the next dormant period. Tom - should I prune the branch back as noted below? Bill, don't cut it off flush at the trunk, leave 6" of the fork, exposes the tree to more disease with a flush cut and weakens the tree. The real point is that if left with that much asymmetry the tree will either topple in high winds or continue to break off due to the imbalance in weight....I see another tree to the left in your picture, no problems with it? I grew up just south of Ulmerton, my sisters went to Largo but after they built Seminole I was in their district...now I'm out here near Weedon Island. Tom

Hubby had the 6ft. spiral trees down from the front deck & stored away when I got up today. I took my diningroom table down & all the other decor & boy are my legs tired from going up & down the basement steps. I put out a simple table & coordinating decor throughout the livingroom.. If some of you remember all the amber vases & candle holders I got at the end of summer, well that is what is out now & can stay for a long time. The only things I'll have to move are the three on the diningroom table when I do Valentines day & other holidays, but the rest can stay since it all coordinates with my decor. I've been dying to use all the amber things since last fall. I'm glad mine is all put away, was dreading it, even though I didn't put out as much as last year, it sure felt like it when I was making the treck up & down the stairs!!!

Great room standing in the hallway/foyer looking at the fireplace into the hearth room/kitchen beyond the doorway. Standing in the foyer with my back to the front door looking into the great room at the two doors leading out to the deck. Standing with my back to the dining room shooting into the great room.