Neglected apple tree advice

[Bigmallly]

I've no advice Susie but put your pic through the photorotator for you.

[SusieG]

Whoops! Thanks Bigmallly!

[Guest]

Hi guys, just been reading the above thread re Sarico's apple tree - some advice on my old tree, please (see pic). It's bearing lots of rather decent sized fruits, but is far too big now and I want to reduce its overall size. It does, however have lots of 'green stuff' covering the trunk and branches (looks and feels like furry/mold). Some of the thinner branches snap easily. It's really tall and I'll need a tall set of ladders to get up there to prune!
I know apple trees don't go on forever, but would like to save it if poss, if not, it'll be fuel for the log burner!

Do you have any close up pics. Overall it looks happy. Its established, lots of greenery, decent crop and well balanced. Unfortunately the canopy at some point has been raised rather high and I don't think you can really rectify that. Just prune out the top in winter to reduce overall height.

[SusieG]

Thanks Norfolkgrey, Will take some more photos tomorrow, see what you think ...

[FB.]

Not wanting to contradict anything FB may recommend. I have started playing around with festooning , with great results I may add.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ml#post1369742

There's nothing wrong with trying festooning, but really upright growth, especially thick shoots, might snap if it's bent too far.

[SusieG]

Norfolkgrey - took these pics today, shows all the 'green stuff' growing on all the branches, trunk etc ...

[Guest]

I can see lichen which is nothing to worry about, just grows on old or slow growing parts. I don't know the implications of moss though

[FB.]

..... I don't know the implications of moss though.....

Commonly found on the North-facing sides of most mature trees and doesn't seem to do any great harm.
If anything mosses and lichens will form a barrier against apple pests and diseases such as canker and woolly aphids.

[FB.]

Commonly found on the North-facing sides of most mature trees and doesn't seem to do any great harm.

And if you ever find yourself lost in the woods, you can get an idea of which way is North by looking for moss on tree trunks.

[SusieG]

Ok thanks for all your info. Think I'm going to prune it out a bit, as best I can, higher up, later on in the year. The good ole apple tree is reprieved ...

Oh, just while I think about it, will this old tree keep producing fruit for as long as it is alive? Or do they have just so many years of fruiting in them? (Providing they don't get hit by disease)

[BUFFS]

And if you ever find yourself lost in the woods, you can get an idea of which way is North by looking for moss on tree trunks.

sounds like you were a boy scout FB, those were simple days eh?

[FB.]

....... Think I'm going to prune it out a bit, as best I can, higher up, later on in the year.....

Wait until the leaves have fallen before pruning it. One of the most common causes of death I've seen in old apple trees is being pruned in autumn (September-November) when they still have leaves on.
Even in winter time, too much pruning can kill an old tree if it's already weak.

The only time summer pruning should be done is mid-July to early August and summer pruning should only focus on shortening or removing shoots which grew that season, not older wood.

Oh, just while I think about it, will this old tree keep producing fruit for as long as it is alive? Or do they have just so many years of fruiting in them? (Providing they don't get hit by disease)

Yes, an apple tree is capable of producing decent quantities of fruit until it dies - the most vigorous rootstocks and most vigorous varieties generally being the most likely to keep going.
But most old apple trees tend to be allowed to grow out of control or untidily (especially if they're vigorous ones!) and that often means biennial bearing, fruit high up out of reach and lower quality fruit due to heavy shade of its own canopy compared to a tree which has been properly maintained every year or two of its life.

[SusieG]

Thanks FB for your advice! I think I owe this old tree a bit more respect. I'll attempt a bit of nurturing and see how the old feller ( 'scuse the pun!) progresses.