Moved and now have an apple tree. What are steps to improve tree health and fruit yield?

by HardTimeTony

5 Comments

  1. HardTimeTony

    The tree has quite a few dead limbs on it that I am planning to trim off when the weather gets colder. The apples produced are small and most have what seem to be bruises on them before they even hit the ground as I have picked some prior to them falling.

    I know that I can spray for bugs in the spring, but what can I do to help this tree along?

  2. proudwhiteok

    Planting another apple tree near it should also help increase fruit production.

  3. itsrainingagain

    That baby needs a serious topping. If I can’t reach them from my orchard ladder and/or a fruit picker, it’s too tall. 

    Also cut any branches that are crossing each other – you need good air flow. 

    The topping that your tree needs is gonna look very shocking but it’ll bounce back. 

  4. black2sugar

    Not speaking with expertise; just what I did

    I generally do my pruning in the fall because by the time our snow is melted enough to get to work the air is warm and things are getting started.

    I have an old tree about twice that size with lots of dead. I cut all the dead off before the fruit got under way in the early summer; i wanted to be able to see really well (w leaves and w/o) what to cut, and went nuts. Also removed everything that grew straight up or backwards and the.

    The crop was very poor, but there’s lots of new growth on it. So maybe next year we’ll be in business.

  5. FindYourHoliday

    Call your local extension office! They’ll send someone out to look at it with you!

Pin