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Apple tree

lloydthevikingVwMO81m1lloydthevikingVwMO81m1 Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Hi all. I am new to gardening. I have recently bought a new house and there is an apple tree in it. The problem I have is there is a vine that grows into it and it has taken over the whole canopy.  Should I cut it back as the birds love it for a bit of cover. Thanks 
Lloyd 
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  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Good morning lloyd and welcome to the forum. Could you tell us what kind of 'vine' it is growing into your apple tree - maybe post a picture and do you wish to get fruit eventually from the apple tree? If it is common ivy and you want your tree to be productive then I would advise removing the ivy despite the birds loving it. They are very resourceful and will find cover elsewhere. Now would definitely be the time to remove the growth as once the birds start nesting it is an offence to move or destroy nests whilst in use or being built.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Do you know what the vine is? It may be a nuisance or it may be something worth having. If it's clematis montana I would cut it back after it's flowered in spring. If it's a grape it will need heavy pruning now. If it's Virginia creeper or Mile a Minute or Bryony I would get rid of it. The birds should be happy with the cover of the apple tree when the leaves come out.

    Can the previous owner give you any information? Why did they leave it?
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Sometimes, if an apple tree is past its best or is not a ‘good fruiter’, rather than remove and lose the tree, a gardener will plant a clematis to climb up into the canopy to provide cover for wildlife and to look glorious when flowering. 
    So, before taking action, 
    show us some photos of your tree and the vine ... we should be able to identify it for you and then you can decide on a course of action ... 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • lloydthevikingVwMO81m1lloydthevikingVwMO81m1 Posts: 5

  • lloydthevikingVwMO81m1lloydthevikingVwMO81m1 Posts: 5
    Hi , thanks for the advice. I have attached a picture. If you need a close up I can post another. Thanks again for taking the time. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited January 2021
    😊 as I suspected ... that appletree is past its best and ‘something’ has been planted to use it as a support and look glorious when it flowers ... can’t really see what it is yet, but as soon as leaves begin to show we should be able to ID it for you. 
    It must be a wonderful winter shelter for small garden birds 😊... but one thing’s for certain ... it’s not ivy 😉 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • lloydthevikingVwMO81m1lloydthevikingVwMO81m1 Posts: 5
    Thank you. As long as it's not doing the tree any harm I'm glad the birds can use it. 
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    It looks to me like a Clematis lloyd. Possibly one of the montana group and as Dove says the apple tree is definitely best its best and is now only useful as a plant support.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I'm very envious ... show us some photos when it's covered with blooms  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • lloydthevikingVwMO81m1lloydthevikingVwMO81m1 Posts: 5
    Thank you all. I will post another picture when it flowers 
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