Thinning apple trees

[new gardener 1052]

Good evening all....
Really must get round to a job I've been dreading!!!!(thining the fruitlets)
Each of my trees are loaded with little fruitlets each tree must have close to 100 baby apples, I understand I can't leave them all on the tree.

But how many should I cut off? Trees are young on there 3rd year (approx)
M26 rootstock.

Many thanks Steve.

[Kirk]

Usually it is a case of keeping the biggest/best that is on the bunch. Biggest is fairly easy to determine but best can depend on any bug that has made a home in the apple. Not sure how many to say to maintain on a 3 year old tree, will depend on you and the actual tree size.

One factor is "June drop" when the tree tends to shed excess apples, this is also when the tree may drop any infected apples. So if you remove all but the biggest and that is infected (virus or insect) then the tree may drop that one. So you have nothing. Then you start calling people who said to remove all but the biggest a complete idiot.

So be aware there is a degree of chance/luck involved.

[new gardener 1052]

I it ok to thin fruit while it's raining? Or like pruning should this be done on a dry day?

Steve.