Apple Tree Blew Down...Question about Suckers

[dtlove129]

Well half of my apple tree blew down last year and where that half blew down there are probably 20 suckers coming up. The other half of the tree blew down today. My question is can I leave the suckers and expect another apple tree or what will those suckers do? If I can leave them, should I thin them to 1 strong one or several strong ones?

[bullthistle]

Apples are grafted so you get whatever stock the apple was grafted to and I am not certain what it is.

[dtlove129]

Not so much concerned about if or what kind of apples I may get, but wanted to know if those suckers would become a new tree? The spot is bare without the tree, and I don't want to hire a root/stump removal service if I know the suckers will eventually make a new tree. I mean there are probably 15 suckers there that are 4 feet tall. If they will make a new tree should I thin them to the strongest sucker?

[Hortman]

Hello dtlove 129. Ken here in the Chicago area. Pick the stongest
sucker and cut down all the rest. The suckers will continue to come
up so keep cutting them down. Your strongest sucker will become a
new tree. Once it is established, the other suckers will slow down and
stop coming up. Good luck.