Apple Tree

[NattieG]

Sorry in advance if this is one of those daft question that has you all rolling your eyes I hope I can explain myself properly!!

We recently planted a Braeburn tree, I'm unsure how old it is, but it's basically a thin trunk about five and a half foot tall with a few healthy but very young branches. It blossomed, and now I've noticed in their place what look like tiny apples-to-be!

Only thing is, I'm wondering if the tree is too young to support the growth and weight of the fruit. Will nature take its' course and these little fruits come to nothing, or do I need to think about taking some sort of action? I'm concerned that the weight of an apple will break the tiny branches which they are growing on. If this would be the case, I'd hate for the tree to be damaged - should I remove the fruits and wait for a few years until the tree is strong enough to support them, or find some way of supporting the fruit as it grows?

I know it's all a bit worrying over nothing - after all, apple trees have grown and produced fruit for thousands of years without our help with no worries - but I'm sure you all completely understand why this newbie is fretting over her baby tree :lol: :lol:

thanks in advance xx

[skegblade]

Somebody said, the only daft question was the one not asked.
As long as the branches are supported or tied to a support they should be OK. That's what we've done with ours

[littlemark]

How recently have you planted your tree? It is generally accepted practice to remove flower buds (and hence apples) in the first couple of years after planting. The reason for this is to help establish the tree. If you allow your Braeburn to crop in the first couple of years it will put all it's energy into developing the apples at a time when it should be developing it's root system. The better the root system, the stronger and healthier the tree in later years, it's definately worth the wait.

The trees we have planted put on very little top growth in the first year, but still flowered. I removed all the blossom and have done the same this year. Allowing the roots to establish properly last year means that the top growth is really coming on this year, helping to establish the sort of frame I want. I will let them crop next year so as to help reduce vigour, and also bend the lateral branches down a little which should help them bear a heavy crop without breaking in years to come, which is where we came in I think.

Mark

[TPeers]

All of which is fine and correct and all that but you probably want an apple from your tree!

Look at the fruit and reduce the load to no more than two a branch, removing any that are deformed or wormed (if you can tell) the tree may still drop excess fruit in June/July which will answer your question!

If you can bear to lose all the fruit this year then it would probably be better, but if you want one or two to help you 'keep faith' while it is establishing that is the compromise I recommend.

Remember that you will need to water the tree this year as it won't have got its roots down to the water table yet and will suffer and may die if allowed to go dry.

Terry

[NattieG]

Thanks everyone!

We planted the tree only about two months ago. I've had a close inspection this morning and there appears to be a grand total of three apples-to-be on the tree! Maybe I'll leave just one out of interest - we're very new to this lark and it will be a little bit of excitment for us watching it grow!!! (yep - we really should get out more I know!).

Thanks re the watering tip Terry - we're already on to that! Our neighbours eye us weilding our hose pipe suspiciously - I think they think that we'll single handedly cause a water shortage with all we've got out there this year!