I've got a 7-year-old apple tree in my garden that's always been a bit wild. I'm facing a few issues: the branches are quite thin, and after producing apples, they tend to drop a lot. I tried supporting it a couple of years ago, but that hasn't helped. This year, the quantity of apples was overwhelming, even after I thinned them out, resulting in some apples rooting on the branches. Does anyone have advice on how to properly prune the tree, support it better, and take care of it so that the branches can become thicker?
2 Answers
To help your apple tree, try thinning the apples when they’re still small. It’s important to limit them to just a few so the tree can focus its energy on growing. Make sure to pick apples once they’re ripe and clear away any rotten ones. Keep in mind that your tree is still young; with some patience, the branches should thicken up over time.
I've heard that a lot of fruit drops happen in June, so timing your thinning right after that might help manage the load better.
It would help to know where your tree is planted for better advice. If it’s near a fence, you could attach some wires to eye hooks or a trellis and tie the branches back for support. Unfortunately, without a photo, it’s hard to give you precise guidance.
I loaded several photos, but is there any way to attach them after posting? I should mention it’s close to the fence, but it’s grown taller than it now.
Thanks for the tips! Any suggestions for better supporting the branches or techniques for pruning?