what's wrong with our apples?

[veg&kids]

Last Autumn which was our first on the allotment we had lots of delicious blemish free apples. This year all the apples look like this, a lot have being wasted/fallen.

Any idea what it is/causes and how to prevent next year?

[veggiechicken]

Looks like Bitter Pit to me - but I'm no expert. I'm sure one will be along soon

http://www.which.co.uk/documents/pdf...rot-151471.pdf

[veg&kids]

Thanks for that link vc, searched bitter pit & it looks like it is that.

The tree is next to a vacant (pure-bramble!) overgrown allotment. I think I might have to try and cut some of that back myself and a good mulch.

[FB.]

Telling us the variety and rootstock is usually helpful.

It looks to me like some bitter pit and some scab, although the 'bitter pit' might be some other fungus.

Some varieties (and some rootstocks) are more prone to problems than others. Some soils and climates are more prone than others. Some years are worse than others.
Bitter pit is made worse by incorrect pruning/feeding/watering (too little or too much of any of the aforementioned).

[veg&kids]

FB unfortunately I have no idea on variety or rootstock.

We took the allotment on in July 2013, the plot was very overgrown & the tree was already well established, but I would definitely say it is in need of a prune, something I need to read up on and tackle.

[FB.]

I would definitely say it is in need of a prune, something I need to read up on and tackle.

Bitter pit is usually worse if the tree is growing strongly, and worse if a tree is hard-pruned.
Post some pictures of the tree to give a good idea of what it looks like, so we can see what would be best to do about the pruning.