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Carol

carolwashnotcarolwashnot Posts: 5
in Problem solving
My old apple tree produced blossom last year and then these died back.  It has done nothing this year.  There are shrubs around the base and I am thinking this may be the problem.  Is it likely to revive if I dig out some shrubs?

Posts

  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410
    An apple tree won’t like shrubs round its base - they will compete for water and nutrients. 

    You say your tree produced blossom last year.  Did it then go on to produce leaves that looked healthy all summer, and fell normally in autumn?  If so, then you will be able to improve things by removing the shrubs.

    Some of my apple trees are not in blossom yet this year - it is still quite early, and it has been very cold.  So I would wait a while yet.   If it comes into leaf normally (ie in May) then its worth trying to improve its’s conditions.  If it doesn’t come into leaf, it is dead, and it is too late to remove the shrubs - better to plant a new apple elsewhere where it can have the space it needs.

  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Sounds like your tree may have suffered blossom wilt. Did you get any fruit last year? Blossom wilt is caused by the same organism that causes brown rot in the fruit. All you can do is make sure to clean up the tree and the surroundings by removing any mummified fruit and dead leaves.
  • carolwashnotcarolwashnot Posts: 5
    Thanks for your help.
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