Apple tree issue

Posts

• fidgetbones Posts: 17,618

  July 2022

  A wasp could have bit into it and its gone rotten. Pick it off and dustbin it.  The first thing I would do is cut the basal stems of all the ivy. The upper stems will then die , and when they go brown they are easier to get off the tree. Next it will need some summer pruning of all the lanky  new shoots, back to three buds.  They will be the fruit buds for next summer.
  

    You can look at the winter prune when all the leaves fall off.
  

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• Rustyleaves Posts: 21

  July 2022

  Thanks @fidgetbones  
  There's one section of it in the middle that reaches up to a height of I'd guess about 25ft or more. And then a large section out to the left and one to the right. I'm a bit nervous about pruning too hard and killing it off or unbalancing it even (might be daft thing to say but I've not had trees to care for in any gardens before this one so I'm a beginner!). Been putting it off but need to get on with the pruning then!

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• fidgetbones Posts: 17,618

  July 2022

  If its 25 ft , I doubt you need to prune it yet. Just  do the ivy. 
  

  
  

  In winter, start with any dead branches.  Then remove any crossing branches that rub on each other.  Then you need to think about the shape of it a bit. My big tree I rarely touch apart from removing dead bits, and picking the apples when ready.  All those trees by the side of the motorway never get pruned , but they seem to be laden with apples every year.
  

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