Problem with family apple tree

[glasgowdan]

I have a trio of varieties on my wee apple tree, and although it has been littered with bloom this spring there is one branch that is 'stuck' at the bud stage, no leaves at all.

Has anyone idea why this is, and can I do anything about it? It looks like I may not get anything from that whole branch which is one of the varieties I guess. It's definitely alive and the buds are soft and present all the way along to the tips.

[WendyC]

Is it green under the bark if you scratch a small piece off?

[glasgowdan]

yes, definitely green wood and alive. It's as if the one branch/variety has been frozen in time. Maybe trimming the other branches down after fruiting might encourage the tree to focus on bushing up a bit come spring next year?

[FB.]

Maybe trimming the other branches down after fruiting might encourage the tree to focus on bushing up a bit come spring next year?

If you prune an apple or pear while it has leaves on, especially after fruiting, you will prevent it storing all the nutrients from those leaves in the roots during the winter.
As a result, the tree may be very weak or slow to get going the following year - maybe unable to mature the fruit and dropping them when pea-sized, or maybe even killing the tree.

In my experience, the biggest cause of tree death by its owner is pruning when it has leaves on. I've seen some magnificent "specimen trees" sent into a death spiral by their owners not pruning the right way at the right time taking into account the needs of the tree.

Only trees which have rampant new growth should be considered for pruning in summer, and that pruning should only involve removal or shortening of the new season's shoots; the previous season's wood and older wood should not be pruned in summer.

[FB.]

Which varieties are grafted?
How old is the tree?
Can you put up some pictures?

[glasgowdan]

I really can't remember which varieties are on there. Would it make a difference? Wouldn't all varieties be at least in leaf by now?

It's 2-2 1/2 years old and this will be the first fruit on it.

[orangepippin]

One of the problems with family trees is that some of the grafts might not be as well plumbed-in to the main stem as the others. The other grafts may then just out-compete it. If the other shoots are growing normally and vigorously then it sounds like it may be on its way out.