Longevity of a braided fruit tree

[Asimina]

Not sure if it's a passing fad, but for the last two years I've seen braided fruit trees for sale. The trees are always three kinds of a similar fruit, such as a Jonathon, Yellow Delicious, and a Granny Smith.

 

I haven't bought one yet because the strength of the trees when grown is suspicious. It takes five to ten years for the trees to fruit nicely, and if it is destined to be a wasted effort I don't want to try.

 

I have a start from an extremely old Crabapple, it insists on growing as a trio. I wouldn't mind braiding them, what are your thoughts about the long term strength?

[Goaty]

It will graft and fuse solid over time, it may suffer rot pockets if water gets trapped longer term. It will be a passing fad. Have a play, can look nice in mature specimens or look ghastly.

[Peasgood]

From experience, pretty much guaranteed to get severe canker.

[Asimina]

From experience, pretty much guaranteed to get severe canker.

 

Thanks for that tip.

 

I recently lost my favorite peach tree to canker. Is there a secret remedy for it? Some of my other stone fruit trees are dripping amber colored jell from their spots.

[Peasgood]

I don't know of any remedy other than cutting it out, even that doesn't always work.

Mercury based treatments used to be quite effective but for some reason you can't seem to get them any more.