Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Apple and Pear trees are empty this year.

ipecipec Posts: 7
in Problem solving
This is the second year for my apple and pear trees. Unfortunately I have no fruit on either tree. They are planted in their own home but have given no fruits. Any ideas as to why and what I can do to help them prosper?
Thanks

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It sounds as if they may be too young to carry fruit to ripening … couple that with a rubbish spring and Id be surprised if they did carry fruit, not if they didn’t. 

    Patience and a good spring are what I advise 😉 



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





  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    I have an apple tree that has lots of fruit, but it has taken 5 years to get to that stage.😁 My pear is not yet a year old, it did have blossom but no fruit, but I didn't expect any. Plus we had frost at just the wrong time for the pear and plum, now my plum is bare this year too. ( it was heavy with fruit last year, it too is 5yo)
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    What is their own home? Are they in pots or planted in the ground? Do you know which varieties you have and what rootstock was used? Pears on their own rootstock in particular could take years before they fruit but modern cultivars on dwarfing rootstocks are now much faster. Having said that I still wouldn't expect to let them fruit until at least their third year and even then limit the crop substantially. Both apples and pears will fruit better when they are cross-pollinated by compatible varieties nearby even if they are supposed to be self fertile.
  • ipecipec Posts: 7
    Thanks, both trees are planted In pots. Apple tree is Malus Gala, not sure about pear tree. Sounds like I need to be patient and maybe consider cross pollination.  Thanks for help.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    edited July 2021
    They both need to be in the ground, especially as the apple will make 5m in 10 years, on dwarf root stock.
  • ipecipec Posts: 7
    Okay,  will try to move into ground when I find some space. Thanks
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Yes everyone is correct,and you need neighbouring trees for pollination
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Agree @Nanny Beach  You have to have other trees nearby for pollination to take place.
    Although this wont give you fruit if the pollinators aren't around if the weather next "Spring" is bad.

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    A slight tangent, but I have been noticing that our fruiting in north London is very low. I have large apple trees in neighbouring gardens. They are usually weighted down with fruit by this point, but there are almost empty. Last frosts have done for them, I think.

    Dwarf root stck is great for pots.

  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Both my apple and Victoria plum are on dwarf root stock. Both are 8ft tall and 8ft wide, and will be 6ft after pruning,  this is done every year as that is how much growth they put on. A bit much for a pot @Fire 😁
Sign In or Register to comment.