Apple tree question

[RangerClay]

I have two apple trees on the border of my food plot. Over the past 6 years there has been little or no apple growth and I want to change that. I am going to try pruning and fertilizing the trees this year to start some growth. I have never pruned a fruit tree before. Is there a web site you know of that shows how to prune and fertilize apple trees?

If these trees don't produce this year they are coming out and are getting replaced with better trees.

[wtnhunt]

Should be able to find some info here http://www.arborday.org/trees/ninethings.cfm to help you out Joe.

[Tominator]

Could be tons of reasons why Joe.

Depending on variety, it's probably a combination of lack of pruning and spraying. Most folks don't realize how much work apple trees are.

Here's another good site for pruning:

http://www.rickerhill.com/Pruning.htm

Also, you have to realize apple trees need constant spraying for some varieties. Start with Volk's oil spray right before the buds burst, then spray with malathion or Sevin once the buds blossoms stop.

With only two trees, you might have a pollination problem. I'd suggest adding a golden delicious in the nearby area if you don't already have one.

[dogdoc]

i'm not a tree expert but I'd also be suspicious of a pollination problem. I believe a lot of apple trees cross-pollinate but couldn't tell you what other apple varieties to plant.

[Tominator]

i'm not a tree expert but I'd also be suspicious of a pollination problem. I believe a lot of apple trees cross-pollinate but couldn't tell you what other apple varieties to plant.

Golden delicious is the best "universal" pollinator to the best of my knowledge.

[PotashRLS]

I am in the process of pruning the apple trees where we hunt. I don't have enough time to do them all as we have over 25 growing around the 80 acres. 8 are semi dwarfs I planted over the last 6 or 7 years and the rest are "wild" growing throughout. Its a big job and thanks for the links to proper pruning techniques. I learned a lot from them.

[Strut10]

There's an old farmer's tale of taking a pocket knife and girdling the outer bark of a non-productive tree with a slice completely around the trunk. Sounds strange. But I've seen it work with my own two eyes.

[Tominator]

There's an old farmer's tale of taking a pocket knife and girdling the outer bark of a non-productive tree with a slice completely around the trunk. Sounds strange. But I've seen it work with my own two eyes.

I wish you would have posted that 5 days ago. I lopped off the major branches of a non-productive tree last weekend.

Maybe I'll just let that tree go and see what happens.

What is it supposed to do Don?

Knowing apple trees like I do, new branches would sprout from the girdle cut. Are the new branches supposed to be more productive?

[Strut10]

What is it supposed to do Don?

As I understand it, it's supposed to stress the tree into pouring on the effort to heal itself and in that effort it sets apples like mad. I saw my dad do it to a 20 year old tree he was ready to hook the t ractor & chain to. He did it because my late grandad had mentioned it one time. The year after the knife cut the tree made its first big batch of apples ever.

[Tominator]

Interesting. Maybe I'll just let this tree go another year. Sure is ugly now though.

[RangerClay]

As I understand it, it's supposed to stress the tree into pouring on the effort to heal itself and in that effort it sets apples like mad. I saw my dad do it to a 20 year old tree he was ready to hook the t ractor & chain to. He did it because my late grandad had mentioned it one time. The year after the knife cut the tree made its first big batch of apples ever.

Wow! Interesting. You would think that girdling would kill the tree?

[LETMGROW]

Joe, the first thing I would do would be cut all vegatation down out past the tree's canopy. Then sprinkle a liberal amount of 13-13-13 fertilizer around the canopy's edge.

Do this as early in the spring as possible then sprinkle more triple 13 in mid summer and late fall. Keep weed growth to a minimum so the trees can get full benefit of the fertilizer's nutrients. Keep the weedeater handy and don't be afraid to use it.

Lynn

[scotman]

As I understand it, it's supposed to stress the tree into pouring on the effort to heal itself and in that effort it sets apples like mad. I saw my dad do it to a 20 year old tree he was ready to hook the t ractor & chain to. He did it because my late grandad had mentioned it one time. The year after the knife cut the tree made its first big batch of apples ever.

This is good stuff we have a small apple orchard around our house which haven't produced well for years. We only own 50 acres so im limited on a small area for a food plot. But if I can get that apple orchard to produce It would double the overall area of my current food plot. Thanks.

[Adjam5]

Joe, I have approx 20 very old apple trees on our property in Sullivan county. They were all over grown and small producers until I tweaked them a bit.

All up growing shoots got trimmed in February, very important. All branches that crossed other branches, the smaller ones were cut. Trees that stole the sunlight from them were cut down or back. I drove fertilizer spikes all around the trees and spread, lime, 10-10-10 all over the drip line too. I do this every year. The trees get my left over food plot fertilizer and lime; and these trees are wonderful producers now. It took me almost 5 years to get them into shape and my tree stand and ground blind in the orchard are the hottest spots on the property.

I have a real scraggly looking apple tree with only one trunk and MAN that tree grows some of the best apples I have ever tasted. The green ones(maybe granny smith), but not that large. Smaller than baseballs but bigger than golf balls.

The turkeys love 'em too.

Good Luck!