I still have one unknown (due to my mistake) tree in my collection. I rooted both VdB and Stella (3 sticks each) in 2010. All six rooted and I put them in the ground where they froze that winter. Only one VdB came back the next spring. The tree exhibits leaves not like VdB, however. Going back through my notes for 2010, the only cuttings I rooted with leaves matching the one on this tree is Stella.

I've been waiting for the tree to produce fruit so I can finally ID the tree and get the other one. I thought that would be later this year, but it will not be. While I was mowing the field, I ran over my first (and second, but the other one is a duplicate of another variety) tree. It was this tree. So now I will wait until next year to find out.

Reminds himself not to hire James for lawn care service.  

Though to be fair.....last year I budded a page orange on to rootstock.  It was growing great and about 18" tall when I backed over it with the bush hog......I swore a few times.  It cut it off about 6" above the graft.....not an hour later I backed OVER it again this time with the back tractor tire:)  In my defense by that point it was very short and hard to see.  In spite of my "care" the tree is now back up to 18" and now has a wire cage around it. 

Tall chicken wire - great for keeping out critters and motorized vehicles!

Put tall stake near plants as a marker and if you run over that too when mowing drink water instead of the other type drink.  ; )

Martin,

I use cut metal conduit as stakes. I have fluorescent flags sticking out from the top. I don't remember why the one next to this tree is gone, but it was and the tree got lost in the tall weeds. The other tree I ran over was staked. :|

Kind of automated mechanical pinching

Natural Selection..  If they can't defend themselves, too bad.. Only the best will survive!