As Facebook tends to say, it's complicated. Since it appears to have been neglected it's more difficult than otherwise Charlotte. No rush - any time from now to Marchish.
It might be an idea to ask one of the old codgers on the allotments his opinion. In fact, if you ask two, you'll get three opinions. Then get a book out of the library on pruning or growing fruit (or ask Father Christmas) and see which opinion you agree with. (You might also put secateurs, loppers and a pruning saw on your list).
First you can certainly cut off anything dead, dying, damaged or diseased, cutting back just into healthy, living wood in each case. Next, have a look to see if any branches are crossing each other - remove the weaker one, or the one growing towards the middle of the tree.
Then you need to look at the structure of the tree. Imagine a wine glass - the main branches should go up the outside, leaving an empty space in the middle. This allows the wind to blow through, discouraging disease spores from landing. So cut out anything growing into the middle.
Finally (assuming it's a variety that bears its fruit on spurs, and 90% of them are) you need to promote a healthy and well-spaced system of spurs that will give you a reasonable number of decent-sized fruit. This needs care and skill, which is only acquired by practice. So practise! You won't kill it.
Just don't take out more than about a quarter of the tree in one go, or it may not recover from the shock - it might take a few years to get it back to an ideal shape. But it will provide you with lots of good apples in the meantime. And there will be a lot of weak 'water shoots' next summer. Rub them out or cut them off as soon as possible.
It might be an idea to clear the ground around the tree during the winter, and apply some compost/manure and a handful of bonemeal or blood-fish-bone in the spring.
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hiya flumpy. Where have you been hiding?
In a non prying,non stalkerish way, obviously.
As Facebook tends to say, it's complicated. Since it appears to have been neglected it's more difficult than otherwise Charlotte. No rush - any time from now to Marchish.
It might be an idea to ask one of the old codgers on the allotments his opinion. In fact, if you ask two, you'll get three opinions. Then get a book out of the library on pruning or growing fruit (or ask Father Christmas) and see which opinion you agree with. (You might also put secateurs, loppers and a pruning saw on your list).
First you can certainly cut off anything dead, dying, damaged or diseased, cutting back just into healthy, living wood in each case. Next, have a look to see if any branches are crossing each other - remove the weaker one, or the one growing towards the middle of the tree.
Then you need to look at the structure of the tree. Imagine a wine glass - the main branches should go up the outside, leaving an empty space in the middle. This allows the wind to blow through, discouraging disease spores from landing. So cut out anything growing into the middle.
Finally (assuming it's a variety that bears its fruit on spurs, and 90% of them are) you need to promote a healthy and well-spaced system of spurs that will give you a reasonable number of decent-sized fruit. This needs care and skill, which is only acquired by practice. So practise! You won't kill it.
Just don't take out more than about a quarter of the tree in one go, or it may not recover from the shock - it might take a few years to get it back to an ideal shape. But it will provide you with lots of good apples in the meantime. And there will be a lot of weak 'water shoots' next summer. Rub them out or cut them off as soon as possible.
It might be an idea to clear the ground around the tree during the winter, and apply some compost/manure and a handful of bonemeal or blood-fish-bone in the spring.
I bet you can taste the apple pie already!