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What should I do about my apple tree?

IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
in Fruit & veg
One of my apple trees was damaged a couple of years ago. I think the hubby didn’t realise that he shouldn’t have strimmed around the tree. It’s that or it’s got a disease. The tree is damaged in two parts of its trunk but it’s still growing and has produced fruit every year. The tree now has different sets of leaves on the section above the top damage. The leaves are bigger but yellow tinged and so are those branches. It also doesn’t have any fruit on those branches. Should I cut at the top damaged point? Will the tree recover from the lower damage point?

Posts

  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    I forgot the photos 
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Oh no, thanks @pansyface I’ve just read up on it. I’m going to have to chop it and burn it. At least the top part initially and see what the remaining apples are like. I don’t think I have a heal and seal paint for it so will have to chance it with a clean cut and see if it survives?
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited July 2020
    Worth trying - cut it where I've put the purple line but I suspect the damage near the ground will prove fatal at some point:

    Judging by the difference in trunk width, I suspect it was a top-grafted 'duo' tree and canker infected the graft point, so you will be down to just the one variety now.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Thank you @BobTheGardener I’ll give that a go. The bottom doesn’t look good, such a shame as it fruited well every year. Whereas I have another tree, looks fine but no apples, complete mystery.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    I’ve never heard of duo tree either. These came from Homebase I think.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Some apple varieties are know as 'triploids' and will need another apple tree nearby which is compatible and blossoms at the same time.  Your other tree may be one of those if it blossoms but doesn't bear fruit:

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Yes I think I have a jonagold or pippin - I might need a crab apple closer then if next doors tree isn’t helping.
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