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Apple Tree Problems & Variety Identification

walkereiwalkerei Posts: 7
in Problem solving
Hi there,

I'm new here and hoping I might be able to get some expert advice regarding the two apple trees in my garden. 

Firstly I'd like to identify the variety we have. I've tied to do this with some reading online but have struggled to determine with any certainty.

Secondly, and more importantly, I'd like to identify what's spoiling the fruit. One tree (pictured right) has always born less fruit and for the last few years, it has always had dark spots and uneven surfaces on the apples. The other (pictured left) has given us a great crop of good-sized apples but this year they are showing some smaller dark spots.

  1. Could anyone tell me what the problem is? I've read about scab but I'd like to be sure.
  2. Can the fruit still be consumed?
  3. What's the best treatment besides disposing of the old leaves? Are there sprays I can safely use but still have fruit that's safe to eat next summer?

If anyone could help I'd be extremely grateful. I really don't want the fruit to go to waste.

Many thanks and best wishes,

Ed.


BOTH TREES:


LEFT TREE:


RIGHT TREE:

«1

Posts

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Hello and welcome.
    You can find an apple day place hopefully near you that you can take you apples and they are great at getting an ID.
    These usually are in Oct but with all that is going on may not happen.
    But check your local area.
  • walkereiwalkerei Posts: 7
    edited September 2021
    Hello there @bertrand-mabel . Thanks very much for your kind response. I'll have a look into that. Good to know. Much appreciated.
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    The problem appears to be Scab which is a common problem on apples. This year had been particularly bad for it too. Not sure if it is still allowed(or even desirable) but Copper sulphate spray was what I used to use when we had fruit trees. Otherwise you need to prune the tree to open it out to allow a good through flow of air. Also collect up the fallen leaves and fruit and dispose of it. The affected apples are still edible, they just need peeling.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    The Apple Scab is so bad here this year, that I've had to 'divorce' two of the grafted partners on 15+ year old 3-variety 'family' tree.  It looks a bit of an odd shape now, but the remaining variety appears much more resistant, and most leaves and fruit are scab-free.
    The affected varieties were so badly affected that the fruit stopped growing while still only about 4cm diameter and none of the affected fruit dropped in June, although most of the leaves had dropped, regrown, got reinfected and dropped again.
    Oh well, I have 4 other varieties so it's fingers crossed for next year.  Lack of enough rain has been a problem here for the last few seasons which seems to make scab worse.
    Strangely, I have the best harvest of pears and the healthiest looking pear trees that I've ever seen this year, though.  :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    If you can’t find a local apple identification event, you can use the services of Brogdale. They’re world experts so the £25 fee is very reasonable

    https://brogdalecollections.org/2021/09/06/identify-your-apple-tree/
    Rutland, England
  • walkereiwalkerei Posts: 7
    Many thanks for the advice @Palustris. I'll look into the copper sulphate spray. It could probably do with pruning as well. Another new skill to learn! Many thanks!
  • walkereiwalkerei Posts: 7
    Many thanks for your message @BobTheGardener. We're up near Glasgow so the lack of rain has never been much of a problem :D, however, we did have a very long dry spell which may have exacerbated things, as you say.

    Best of luck with yours for next year and enjoy the pears!

    Cheers!
  • walkereiwalkerei Posts: 7
    That looks great @BenCotto. I'll definitely drop them a line. Many thanks!
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Copper sulphate isn't legal any more in Britain, I'm afraid - and nothing else is now available to home gardeners against scab.  (Most of us aren't very keen to spray chemicals on food...)  Pruning for good air flow, as recommended by Palustris, and clearing up dead leaves, is the way to go.  And some cultivars are more resistant than others.   :)
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The weather has been very weird here @walkerei - without doubt!
    Some varieties are more prone to scab anyway, and there often isn't much you can do, apart from what has already been described.
    I gave up with mine and got rid of them. Too much bother. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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