Apple tree saving/ pruning

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Loofah, Nov 26, 2022.

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  1. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    We have several apple trees, of which this one is in recovery. It's leaning and has twisty branches and I want to sort it this winter. The basic question is should I be brutal? There's no real shape to it and it's frankly in a right state; every time I go down with the saw I walk away without touching it!
    PXL_20221126_150946742.MP.jpg PXL_20221126_151007375.jpg PXL_20221126_151016084.MP.jpg PXL_20221126_151039946.jpg
     
    Loofah, Nov 26, 2022
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  2. infradig

    infradig Gardener

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    If it were mine, I would aggressively address the rhododendron/laurels and reform a bare area beneath the apple. It could then be nourished and given a chance to revive. Perhaps remove the weaker upper branches to install a more pleasing shape, while shortening the others to a suitable flower bud. Does it produce at present? , is it fruit you find worthwhile
     
    infradig, Nov 26, 2022
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  3. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    It's been really good this year and it's a great eating apple. The house was dilapidated when we bought it so I've been coaxing this and other trees back into something resembling health.
    I just can't 'see' a good goblet shape in the tree hence I haven't chopped it much.
    Probably a good call on the bare area
     
    Loofah, Nov 26, 2022
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  4. Jocko

    Jocko Guided by my better half.

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    Looks a bit like mine.
     
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      Jocko, Nov 26, 2022
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    • Loofah

      Loofah Admin Staff Member

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      It's a proper problem tree!
       
      Loofah, Nov 26, 2022
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      I'd probably have a go at trying to balance it up by pulling some of the top branches over to the other side with wires or rope for a year or two.
      The stem is not going to straighten I'm assuming its solid, so the growth needs to come back across to the other side to form a balance to the tree.

      If they wont bend then I'd prune some of them back to buds facing in that direction and make sure the new shoots that arise grow in that direction next year.

      Maybe in subsequent years take off the lowest branches entirely once the top growth has become more balanced.
       
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        pete, Nov 26, 2022
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      • Loofah

        Loofah Admin Staff Member

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        The growth is really weird. It seems determined to grow only in one axis; if you imagine a cross then it just grows along one of the lines, not in the other.
        I'm tempted to savage it but the Mrs would be chasing me with a rolling pin (or shovel)
         
        Loofah, Nov 26, 2022
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        Looks to me like it got blown over early after planting and not straightened up.
         
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          pete, Nov 26, 2022
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        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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          Could be. If you shake it there's some give in the roots but not enough to right it. It's also tempting to dig it up and replant.
           
          Loofah, Nov 26, 2022
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          Don't think I would dig it up. Not apple trees but
          I know of a few trees around here that got knocked to an angle of 45 degrees during the 1987 event and they were left like it .
          They have balanced their selves by growing stronger on the opposite side to the lean.
          I'd just try to encourage it to do that.

          Maybe stake it low down to stop the roots moving
           
          pete, Nov 27, 2022
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          If you really want to straighten it you could try a guy rope attached to the top of the trunk and slowly over a period of a couple of years pull it upright bit by bit.
           
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            pete, Nov 27, 2022
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          • Loofah

            Loofah Admin Staff Member

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            I'm not sure I'm that patient lol I remember the '87 storm, lots of problem TPO trees mysteriously also fell over...
             
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              Loofah, Nov 27, 2022
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            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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              Think of it as an ongoing experiment :biggrin:
              Couple of mm at a time.
               
              pete, Nov 27, 2022
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            • infradig

              infradig Gardener

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              Create a strainer sling anchored at two points to stakes driven in at 70 degrees. Pass around tree just below the first branch and incorporate two of these* so that you can progressively tighten by small increments to pull it upright over time.
              *Turnbuckle M6 | Toolstation
              Could also be done with ratchet straps.
               
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                infradig, Nov 27, 2022
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              • noisette47

                noisette47 Total Gardener

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                Um...I can't help remembering you advising someone to leave their newly-planted fruit tree well alone :biggrin: Now you know why I advised a bit of formative pruning ;) I do sympathise, though...I've got a couple of leaning fruit trees that, even though staked, got blown over in westerly gales. They do respond well to chopping/re-balancing :dbgrtmb:
                 
                noisette47, Nov 28, 2022
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