Apple Tree prognosis
Luke Powell
Posts: 11
Apple Tree pruning time! First time Pruner and first time Apple tree owner!
(Note that there is a Cheery Tree behind that might make the Apple appear bigger!)
Done a little research on pruning and thought I'd go to work on taking any dead wood off, First piece I've sawn off seems to reveal a large dark hole which is pretty much heading down the main trunk of the tree!
Did I cut far too close to the trunk?
I also noticed on the other side a previous scar which comes in the form of a dark hole!
Is this something to worry about?
And I thought I'd also show you this which is I dare say has more "Dark Hole" inside although there are plenty of Shoots coming straight up (Water shoots?)
With what the state of the rest of the tree looking unloved and sorry for itself am I been too negative in thinking its seen better days?
I guess subconsciously I wouldn't be upset to see the tree gone, I love eating apples but not cooking them! plus it would allow me to get more sun to my planned raised beds.
Anyway before I go to far, is there anything that can be done to prevent the dark holes (I assume a disease/rot) from getting worse?
What would you do?
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Is the photos the apple tree or the cherry tree?
Personally, I think its had it,and I'd dig it out and plant something else with a chance of a long life.
I think if you were desperate to keep them, prune all the water shoots back to three or four buds, and reassess in the summer when its in leaf.
I don't know much about trees but I'd be tempted to wait until Spring and see how well it greens up and blossoms before making any long term decisions on it.
There are plenty of very knowledgeable people on this forum though who I am sure will be along over the weekend to help!
Its the Apple tree up foreground and the Cherry tree behind,
Unfortunately it was the best shot I could get!
I believe the Apple Tree was there when the house was originally built in 58!
We've seen it since May/June last year when we moved in and it seems healthy enough, but the truth is I'm not keen on using the Apples.
If you don't really want the apples and the tree isn't very well then I'd get rid of it. Since 1958 is pretty old, but I believe the original Bramley apple tree is still alive, but I've forgotten the date!