Dying Apple Tree?

Hi folks.
I'm looking for some ideas on how to help our very sad apple tree. It must be getting on a bit, we've lived here for 16 years and it was well established when we moved in. I don't know what variety it is, it's borderline eater (too tart for my taste) but I prefer to cook with it. Every year until last year it produced fabulous blossom and an equally fabulous harvest ... I used to spend my autumn making & freezing apple pies!

Last year it produced a grand total of 6 apples. This year we have no sign of growth whatsoever, but if we snap off a twig there is green inside - so not completely dead. It's always had a big bunch of mistletoe growing on it - so that too is over 16 years old. We cut that back regularly but haven't tried to remove it completely because we rather like it, but we do know it can do harm to the tree.

The question is, is there anything we can do to save it or should we be cutting our losses and starting again? Your thoughts much appreciated!

 

it is a bit difficult to suggest , not seeing the tree. Last year were there dead branches and twigs? Those are the signs that i would expect to see if a tree was worn out and on its last legs. Did it flower well last year? If there were plenty of flowers then the poor harvest could be due to poor pollination, probably due to weather conditions. I would not think it is due to the mistletoe. i understand that it does not harm the host tree

 

Thanks Geoff, to be honest I can't remember if it flowered well last year or not. I think it was probably ok, but then presented us with the grand total of half a dozen apples. So you may be right with your suggestion of pollination/weather. It did certainly have some dead twigs, not whole branches though. I guess we will just wait and see if it springs into life this year, it may still be waiting to see if winter is really over! If not then perhaps it really is on its last legs.

 

If a tree is old and worn out you often get quite a few twigs dying off and leaves smaller than normal - basically a whole lack of vigour. Whole branches may start to die and you get some rots setting in.
If you do start again then don't plant in the same position. New apple trees will struggle to grow in soil that has had apples growing there before. I don't know what it is in the soil that does this, perhaps one of our experts can enlighten us.

 

First off I am not going to give you suggestions on how to save it. Others will do that. But if all fails and you decide to cut it down, just keep the wood for your fireplace. Apple wood smells so good. The orchard near me sells cords of it, it smell lovely when burned. Recently a cherry tree of ours died, it is cut up in a special place for the fire place this winter.

Well good luck with it. Have a suggestion, did you call a apple orchard place and ask??

 

When was the last time it was pruned?