2 year old apple tree with too many apples!

Hollyhocks1

Hi, I planted an apple tree around 2 years ago and it has come on well.  For the first time it has fruit but the lower branches are being weighed down.  Should I remove some of the apples or maybe remove the lower branches, or just leave alone?
Your help would be appreciated.  Thanks!

Dovefromabove

They may well drop off as part of the June Drop, but it's only a young tree ... I would remove all the fruit on the lower branches this year to enable them to get a bit stronger ... and I'd certainly only allow one apple per branch on the other branches this year ... when my pear tree fruited for the first time we only allowed it to have two fruit.  

Guernsey Donkey2

I agree with Dove, just allow a couple of good apples to mature, but wait for the June drop before thinning out the small fruits.  Give the tree plenty of water and a mulch or feed to help boost the energy it will need to produce these fruits.  Growing the fruit is like having a growth spurt.

Hollyhocks1

OOOh that's harsh!  Well thanks for the info and I definitely do that in July.  
Many thanks

Dovefromabove

Harsh on you, but kinder to the tree 

Fairygirl

This 'patience' lark is hard on gardeners Hollyhocks 
I think the storm last night might have removed a few of mine and saved me the bother 

Fire

I would remove all fruit for the first four years to let the roots est. It feels harsh, but better for the tree in the long run.