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Apple advice
amancalledgeorge
Posts: 2,736
Hi all,
I've taken on an allotment half plot and have inherited an apple tree. It's a half standard tickled pink apple. Must have been in the ground since 2015 (so glad I found the label in the undergrowth) but it clearly hasn't been looked after much in recent years. Haven't got masses of experience with fruit trees so was wondering what you think I should do to improve its overall habit. Currently it has elongated sideways so the fruit are making the branches suffer under the weight. My instinct tells me to give it a serious haircut from the sides or do you think instead it would make sense to support it from below until the branches are stronger? As you can see someone tied it with some scrunched up netting to give some extra support 🙄
I will clear further the weeds at the base and give it a good mulch...don't you worry!
Thanks!
I've taken on an allotment half plot and have inherited an apple tree. It's a half standard tickled pink apple. Must have been in the ground since 2015 (so glad I found the label in the undergrowth) but it clearly hasn't been looked after much in recent years. Haven't got masses of experience with fruit trees so was wondering what you think I should do to improve its overall habit. Currently it has elongated sideways so the fruit are making the branches suffer under the weight. My instinct tells me to give it a serious haircut from the sides or do you think instead it would make sense to support it from below until the branches are stronger? As you can see someone tied it with some scrunched up netting to give some extra support 🙄
I will clear further the weeds at the base and give it a good mulch...don't you worry!
Thanks!
To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
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Posts
The lowest limbs should have been pushed away from the centre to make a larger Y , giving more room for the rest of the branches. As you say it has been left for so long the branches have now crossed, causing overcrowding.
I would remove the netting and see if the shape will naturally broaden. Put a post either side of the tree just beyond the limb lengths and string wires between, to which you can tie in the limbs you decide to keep. That will take care of the weight issue.