Does anyone here have experience with this kind? We planted this variety along with a zestar in May and I have several questions and some issues with the tree. It is our first attempts at growing apples
Welcome to the forum.
I don't have any experience with Norland, but perhaps if you describe some of your issues, I or somebody else may be able to offer some suggestions.
With a quick Google search, I see that Norland is described as a genetic dwarf, so off the bat I'd expect it to be less vigorous (more slowly growing) than other apple varieties on a given rootstock.
It is very slow and tons of issues, I am not sure what is wrong, I will get some pictures but we are fighting some form of fungus or disease it appears, a local orchard had no idea about Norland but said we really need to be spraying weekly with some pesticide and how high maintenance apple trees are. We planted a zestar at the same time and its doing a bit better, still some issues with the leaves but has many more leaves and is sprouting new ones. The Norland just looks sickly. I will try to get some pictures up in the next day or so. Really appreciate the help, this is our first time with Apple trees and they are both babies really, planted in May and about 6' tall at this point. We are in chicago area.
I don't think you need to spray every week. I've been growing apples for 20 years and I have never sprayed every week. You may get a bit more insect pressure in the summer in Chicago than here in western Oregon, but every week is a lot. I think your cultural practices are more important. What kind of soil and how you planted it, pruning the tree, making sure it gets enough sun and water, mulching, and disease prevention are more important than spraying every week.
John S
PDX OR
I have two Norland apple trees for 10 years now. The Norland apple is extremely hardy, early apple. Recommended as a first apple tree for novices. Precocious on dwarf stock. Good flavor but browns instantly and short storage life unless picked underripe (yuck). The problems you describe do not sound like anything to do with cultivar.