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Apple Tree question
We planted an apple tree about 4 years ago and it now stands about 8 foot high now. It looks healthy enough but hasn't produced any fruit. I am a bit of a novice gardener and have tried googling it with not much luck. I've seen other smaller trees producing fruit. We also have the same problem with our pear tree. I don't know if there's something I should be doing and also unsure how or if I should be pruning the trees. Any help much appreciated.:o
If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.;)
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pruning is quite important for small trees - and summer pruning is usually done to promote fruit bud growth and to reduce new growth.
did it blossom this year?
can you post any pics of your tree?saving money by growing my own - much of which gets drunk
made loads last year :beer:0 -
Hi there. None if the trees blossomed apart from 1 teeny blossom on 1 branch of the apple tree. I have taken photos but unsure how to upload them!If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.;)0
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https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/46110378/20130902_102846.jpg
This is the apple tree
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/46110378/20130902_102853.jpg
...and the pear tree. We haven't ever pruned them!:eek:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/46110378/20130902_102902.jpg
The photos aren't clear as we have a HUGE sweet pea plant growing in the middle which started to attach itself to the trees! it went a bit nuts with the great weather this year so will be getting moved when it dies backIf life gives you lemons, make lemonade.;)0 -
Exactly what tree did you plant? Did you check the root stock ( shows how big it will grow)? Did you check pollination (many apple trees need to be cross-pollinated from a different type of tree)?
Also, the place you have planted the tree is not good. It is right next to a fence. Trees grow in girth as well as height ( roots will also grow outwards ). You may be able to salvage the situation by training the tree to grow in espalier form ( good for space saving and doesn't need much pruning after the shape has been established.)
Ditto pear tree.0 -
the first two pics are of the pear tree - and there are plenty of fruit buds on it - but it does need a damn good prune - as suggested above, espalier type training might work ok
re the apple tree - that one needs a damn good prune also and i can't see from the pic any fruit buds. do you know what variety it is? any chance of a close up pic (fruit buds if there are any, with an idea of where they are on the branch)
armed with better pics - i'd gladly offer pruning advice if you want some helpsaving money by growing my own - much of which gets drunk
made loads last year :beer:0 -
OK
Starting point; you are getting no blossom, so will get no fruit.
Secondly, pruning (done correctly) increases bud formation.
Both trees look basically healthy so I would suggest the following.
Both look like the top branches are getting a bit too tall for future harvesting.
Go up the main stem and identify a point where there are a number of branches coming out; at say 6 foot high. remove the main branch (leader) cleanly at that point.
Also remove any side branches that are very low down on the main trunk.
On the pear cut back new (this year's) growth by one third.
Was the blossom on the apple on the tip pf the branch or part way along?
And right now FEED both trees; use tomato feed at full strength. Then keep the ground round both trees clear of grass, weeds and other competing plants for a year.
And whilst you are doing this, check whether there are any other apples or pear trees in your neighbourhood?
No point getting them to flower and having no pollinators.
Do you know what varieties you bought?If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing0 -
Exactly what tree did you plant? Did you check the root stock ( shows how big it will grow)? Did you check pollination (many apple trees need to be cross-pollinated from a different type of tree)?
Also, the place you have planted the tree is not good. It is right next to a fence. Trees grow in girth as well as height ( roots will also grow outwards ). You may be able to salvage the situation by training the tree to grow in espalier form ( good for space saving and doesn't need much pruning after the shape has been established.)
Ditto pear tree.
Erm...none of the above I'm aftraid - complete novice. Bought the 'trees' cheaply in Lidls a few years ago.If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.;)0 -
OK
Starting point; you are getting no blossom, so will get no fruit.
Secondly, pruning (done correctly) increases bud formation.
Both trees look basically healthy so I would suggest the following.
Both look like the top branches are getting a bit too tall for future harvesting.
Go up the main stem and identify a point where there are a number of branches coming out; at say 6 foot high. remove the main branch (leader) cleanly at that point.
Also remove any side branches that are very low down on the main trunk.
On the pear cut back new (this year's) growth by one third.
Was the blossom on the apple on the tip pf the branch or part way along?
And right now FEED both trees; use tomato feed at full strength. Then keep the ground round both trees clear of grass, weeds and other competing plants for a year.
And whilst you are doing this, check whether there are any other apples or pear trees in your neighbourhood?
No point getting them to flower and having no pollinators.
Do you know what varieties you bought?
Thank you, I'm on it!!
No idea of varieties. The closest apple trees I know of are at the orchard at the local school 5 minutes walk away. The blossom was part of the way along a branch, I think. (I'm not doing very well eh?:o)If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.;)0 -
The blossom was part of the way along a branch, I think.
OK. That make sit less likely that you have a tip-bearer. Although if you bought from Lidl, I think they have only sold Discovery that I am aware of amongst their selection.
So trim back this year's growth on the apple tree by one thind now.
You need to start at the very tip, look at the branch and follow the leaves towards the trunk. What you are looking for is a section where the leaves are very close together and there are several adjacent rings round the bark. That is where this year's growth starts and you measure two thirds of the distance from there to the tip and cut just above a leaf node.If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing0 -
. The closest apple trees I know of are at the orchard at the local school 5 minutes walk away.
Not a problem, bees & other pollinators fly for miles, and even the wind carries some pollen
Pears are a bit more choosy, with luck, and all probability, you have got Conference, which is self pollinatingWhen an eel bites your bum, that's a Moray0
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