Apple tree advice - I can't reach the crop

[shirlthegirl43]

We have a few old apple trees in our garden. The problem is that they are too tall and spindly and we can't reach the apples to harvest them. Ideally, I would like to get a tree surgeon to come and advise then do the job of reducing them to a more manageable size, but there is no way we can afford that. So here I am asking you wonderful grapes, how do I go about this task and when? I think the correct term is 'lowering the crown' but I could be wrong there.

Also, one of the trees has 3 main stems, is it possible to remove two? If it helps at all, these trees throw out little branches from all over and I spend most of the year trimming or rubbing these off.

[mrs dog]

Hi Shirl and you are right it is called lowering the crown. As long as you don't mind little or no crop next year you can shorten all three. Autumn after fruiting is best and seal the cuts. Failing that you could always try those weird things that I've seen on tv that are like a bent pair of stilts!!!!

[Peter]

Shirl, get one of those pickers on a pole.

On a telescopic pole, a bit like a bulb planter withot a handle, castellated wider top to catch the apple stalk for a gentle twist, narrows a bit into a soft bag to hold the fruit.

All you will get if you lower the crown a a LOT of vigerous whippy growth from all over what is left.

Get a copy of the RHS "Fruit Garden Displayed" it has a good section on pruning.

[HeyWayne]

Borrow yourself a HeyWayne - a great contraption that is able to reach even the highest branches!

I pruned my apple tree last year after it only produced a handful of fruits. This year it is covered in tiny baby apples! To prune the top I used one of those extendable loppers - the ones with the hook at the end and a pull cord that moves the blade, hang on a minute (goes to google..)

Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Garden Telescopic Tree Pruner & Saw Max Length 2430mm - 4930FZ/03 - S/J4930FZ - Spear & Jackson Tree Pruners

This is actually the same as the one I have. The saw bit is a bit rubbish, but I've used the pull-blade bit to cut branches a couple of inches thick.

As for cutting the larger "stems" I think as long as you a) do it during the dormant period, b) cut cleanly with no "flat" surface and c) make sure you leave plenty of other growth on the tree, you should be okay.

I'm sure Monty cut a large branch off one of the apple trees at Berryfields last year as he kept banging his head on it...I know that feeling!

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks for the offer Wayne but I think even you might struggle to reach these.
The picture might just show the problem I have, the top of the fence is my chin level. I don't think pruning is a realistic proposition, it is more in need of lopping off in a rather drastic manner. We are planning to replace the fence it grows against this year and I would like to take the opportunity to sort the tree out one way or another while we are doing that work.

[shirlthegirl43]

Shirl, get one of those pickers on a pole.

On a telescopic pole, a bit like a bulb planter withot a handle, castellated wider top to catch the apple stalk for a gentle twist, narrows a bit into a soft bag to hold the fruit.

All you will get if you lower the crown a a LOT of vigerous whippy growth from all over what is left.

Get a copy of the RHS "Fruit Garden Displayed" it has a good section on pruning.

I have one of those picking thingies - they are great. I would still need to be up a ladder to reach these apples though I need the fruiting branches to be at a level where I can thin the forming apples and actually get a harvestable crop. If we have to, we will just pull the lot up and plant a different apple tree.