Thanks for the comments everyone! My approach to gardening is usually to try and work with what I've got, and I know beauty is subjective... But nope, the tree looking like that is niggling me and I just can't see myself ever coming to appreciate it. So new (grafted) apple tree for me, and that tree will meet the axe and go into the wild area insect log pile.
I agree with @Fairygirl … a gently decaying log pile is a wonderful thing for wildlife … particularly one made from fruit wood … and so is a productive apple tree … and you will have both …win/win 😊
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
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The resulting logs are a better use of the tree than it hanging around looking ugly and un productive
Good luck with your new one when you get it
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.