I have healthy apple and pear seedlings started from old, non-hybrid, heritage trees. I realize these seedlings can turn into anything, but I'm willing to wait and see. They are in pots, and are 8-10" high. Should I let them continue to grow straight up as they are, or prune them in some way? Also, should they come inside for the winter before planting them in the ground in the spring?
If you want to grow these seedlings to a size that will bear fruit, then you should put them into the ground in their final location as early as possible. Perhaps mid-summer is not the best time, but I would definitely plant them in the fall rather than wait for spring. Their roots will grow during the fall and winter and give them a head start in the spring. They shouldn't need any pruning the first few years, unless there are problem branches that need to pruned off.
This is good advice; I will plant them this fall. What I need to know now is how to protect these very young trees from all the hungry critters. We have an abundance of rabbits, woodchucks, squirrels and deer. I'm thinking some wire fencing and deer netting?
While the trees are small, chicken wire fencing should be adequate to protect them and won't cost very much.
