Spotty apples and deflated pears

[newbieveggie]

Hi there.
My apples haven't fruited the best this year and haven't done great other years, I have three. very old bramleys, one cox sort, and two golden delicious sort. I've not got a clue how to prune, or even if I should and every year the golden delicious have black spotty dimples. Also I have two pear trees which produce pears which resemble deflated balloons. I live in a very rural location with loads of flowers and pollinaters. Ok so whats going on? Any ideas?

[perkin]

Spotty apples could be bitter pit - a calcium deficiency usually caused by a lack of water or irregular water supply. What's your soil type?

[newbieveggie]

Acidic as far as I can make out. Camilias and pine everywhere. They are watered via the rain and borehole. Will it recover?

[perkin]

If it is bitter pit (info here to confirm) then it should recover if you can sort the water issue out - do you have thin or sandy soil? are there other trees/shrubs that could be outcompeting your apple trees for groundwater? Usually a good mulch over winter and regular additional waterings will improve the fruit.

[Nicos]

That's exactly what I've got on a couple of my trees.
Frustrating isn't it- hot, dry Spring ( yipee!!) , leading to bitter pit apples ( boo!)