I've got a 7-year-old apple tree in my garden that's been a bit of a handful. Here are the issues I'm facing:
1) The branches are quite thin, and I've noticed they're dropping apples too early.
2) I attempted to support it a couple of years ago, but it didn't seem to help much.
3) The number of apples it produces is overwhelming! Even after thinning some out, they end up rooting on the branches.
I'm looking for advice on how to properly prune the tree, support the branches, and care for it so they can get thicker. Any tips?
2 Answers
Where’s your tree planted? It’s tough to give advice without photos. If it's near a fence, you might want to set up some wires or a trellis to tie the branches back. I recently posted about dwarf trees, and you can see how some of mine are tied to fencing.
One thing you can do is thin out the apples while they're still small, just leave a few on each branch. It’s also helpful to pick them when they’re ripe and clear away any rotten ones. Remember, your tree is still young, so give it time—it should get thicker as it matures!
Thanks! Is there a better way to support the branches or any specific pruning techniques I should consider?
I've heard that lots of apples drop in June, so it might be best to wait until after that to do any thinning.
That’s a good idea! I've actually got some photos, but is there a way to attach them after the post is up? My tree is close to the fence, but it’s grown taller than it now.