Is this old apple tree beyond saving (I hope not)?

[Russel Sprout]

Hi

We moved to a new house this year and there is an apple tree behind the house that seems in quite a bad way. We were told it fell/collapsed a couple of years ago; hence the funny angle! There are so many branches on the tree. All of the lower ones are covered in moss and lichen, and a lot of them are weak and brittle and snap easily. There is what looks like some younger growth in the higher sections. In terms of apples, we had perhaps 10 or so this year. By all accounts it has been very productive in the past.

So, any tips on how to rescue the poor thing?

Many thanks

[Guest]

If there is still life it is not beyond saving. Realistically it is a long term project and you will have to work with what you have. If you can live with something a bit quirky then cut away dead, damaged and diseased first then remove others to shape. Remove no more than a third or you are likely to shock the tree. The lichen is an indicator of slow growth so if those branches can be reduced then great.

[nickdub]

If the apples were ones you like I'd prune most of the old/dead wood out this winter, feed it and hope for the best. Even almost dead looking trees will sometimes respond to a bit of care and attention.

Obviously if you did not like the fruit its not worth taking trouble with it - perhaps just treat it as a garden feature and plant a new tree somewhere-else.

[Mark_Riga]

reducing the amount of vegetation in an area round the trunk will help as well.

[FB.]

With it being so late in the season it's possible that some of the dead-looking parts aren't actually dead; maybe they've just gone dormant for the winter.

However, bits that snap easily are probably dead, but the thick branches and trunk that they originate from and which is now laying on the ground might be rooting into the soil and might be keeping the rest of the tree alive.

My advice would be if it's not in the way, leave it alone apart from any obviously cankered bits and see how much of it comes to life next year. Then you'll know which dead bits to trim back to good wood next winter.

[muck lover]

Am I a callous gardener? I’d get rid of it and plant another apple tree in another spot in the garden.

[FB.]

Am I a callous gardener? I’d get rid of it and plant another apple tree in another spot in the garden.

If the OP plants a new tree somewhere else, the variety or rootstock of the new tree might subsequently be found to be unsuitable for the conditions.

The OP says the previous owners of the tree thought the fruit were good. Variety is unknown so it might be rare. If the OP said it was a variety that's still easy to find I'd be less sympathetic.
I'd say it's worth persevering for a year or two if it's not causing a problem.

[Fruitbats]

I've generally found apples to be very willing to regenerate when pruned hard, but is it getting enough light to be happy? I can't tell from your pics whether those tall trees are casting a lot of shade onto it, does it look as though it's been trying to grow away from them? On the other hand, if you liked the apples, and you don't want the space for something else, I'd say tidy it up, clear some space around it, give it some food in the spring, and see how it gets on over the next couple of years.

[chillithyme]

Same as others have said, I would give it chance and see how it goes over the next couple of years, it looks like it trying to put on some growth. By then at least you will have a clearer picture of whether it will keep going.