Big old Apple Tree

[Railroad]

We have a large, wild apple tree in our yard. The branches are very, very dense and doubtless the tree needs to be thinned out. Problem is, there are HUNDREDS of these branches. I can take care of a chunk of it by chainsawing out a large dead branch, but that won't help elsewhere. Also, I can't climb it, and I would need to do that to get the thing properly thinned out.

The tree has borne huge numbers of apples (wormy and with bugs of course) since before we moved here, and a couple of years the apples have been relatively pest free - they were DELICIOUS! This past season the tree produced about 3 apples total. I'm told it's because the tree needs to be thinned out. I can't afford a real tree surgeon. Any ideas?

 

[mejen]

Now is the time to do any heavy pruning. Do you have a picture? Is the tree easy to get to? Is it easy to climb? I am not a professional, but I enjoy trimming. I'd be happy to help you out if I can.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

The tree has borne huge numbers of apples (wormy and with bugs of course) since before we moved here, and a couple of years the apples have been relatively pest free - they were DELICIOUS! This past season the tree produced about 3 apples total. I'm told it's because the tree needs to be thinned out. I can't afford a real tree surgeon. Any ideas?

My mom has a similar tree in her yard and hers didn't produce apples at all like it did last year. I'm wondering if the trees produce in cycles? I've seen it so loaded the limbs looked as if they'd snap but last year, hardly anything!

 

[Vince]

My mom has a similar tree in her yard and hers didn't produce apples at all like it did last year. I'm wondering if the trees produce in cycles? I've seen it so loaded the limbs looked as if they'd snap but last year, hardly anything!

Mine produce every year. There is no cycle. You have to trim them correctly or you'll get too much fruit and it will sap the tree. And just when you think you've trimmed enough, trim somemore. Trim anything that is shooting upward. When you're done it will look bare, and I mean bare. That's when it's enough.

 

[Otter]

Trim anything that is shooting upward.

I thought it was anything shooting downward?? Swear I read that somewhere.

 

[Vince]

I thought it was anything shooting downward?? Swear I read that somewhere.

No. Upward. If you want to leave an upshoot to start new growth, just leave about three buds on the branch and cut the rest off. That will start you a new limb. Clean out the center of the tree too.

 

[Railroad]

Thanks for all the great advice, folks! As I look out the window at the tree at this moment, trimming everything that shoots upward should make the tree a lot shorter and would definitely thin it out. Should all of the smaller branches (less than 1/2") be removed?

 

[jazz lady]

A lot of things can be responsible for fruit trees not producing from year-to-year. One big factor are late frosts. They can wipe out most if not all blooms on a tree. The average frost-free time for this area is April 15, but we've had some years where we've had a frost in late May!


Here's some helpful info on pruning:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1150.html (this one has great illustrations!)

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/victorygarden/knowhow/pp/fruitpruning/

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/county/cass/horticulture/fruit/prune.htm

http://doityourself.com/fruits/prunefruittrees.htm

 

[Railroad]

A lot of things can be responsible for fruit trees not producing from year-to-year. One big factor are late frosts. They can wipe out most if not all blooms on a tree. The average frost-free time for this area is April 15, but we've had some years where we've had a frost in late May!


Here's some helpful info on pruning:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1150.html (this one has great illustrations!)

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/victorygarden/knowhow/pp/fruitpruning/

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/county/cass/horticulture/fruit/prune.htm

http://doityourself.com/fruits/prunefruittrees.htm

COOL! Thanks VERY much!!

 

[Vince]

I thought it was anything shooting downward?? Swear I read that somewhere.

You are correct if it's shooting straight down. Use good judgement and common sense. I always clean out enough downshoots so I can get the tractor under it to cut grass. Cut all the limbs crossing over each other also. I'm getting ready to do mine and I'll take a before and after picture. And the after will look very bare.

 

[Railroad]

You are correct if it's shooting straight down. Use good judgement and common sense. I always clean out enough downshoots so I can get the tractor under it to cut grass. Cut all the limbs crossing over each other also. I'm getting ready to do mine and I'll take a before and after picture. And the after will look very bare.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to it - a picture's worth 1000 words...

 

[Magnum]

My apple tree usually only produces every 2 or 3 years

 

[huntr1]

Since my trees are young, only been in my yard for going on 2 years now, I pluck the fruit early in the spring to let the tree devote it's efforts to root growth, rather than fruit growth at this time.