Fruit & Veg

Martin W

Newbie on the forum. The tree is a Bramley Apple approx. 60 years old Problem is it is suffering from over the last 3 years branches dying back and the bark falling away from  the dead branches which seems progressive. Do these trees have a shelf life? I don't want to lose the tree for sentimental reasons but accept that everything does eventually come to an end! Is it time for a new start.  Thanks 

Dovefromabove

It does sound as if it's on it's way out.  However, it's usefulness may not be over - venerable old trees are very valuable for wildlife, all sorts of precious insects and birds may make their homes in the rotting branches - even woodpeckers.

Why not plant a rambling rose to climb up into the branches - it will be absolutely beautiful.  

 This one is Paul's Himalayan Musk, but there are several others suitable for training into a tree, see here http://www.classicroses.co.uk/productindex.php?type=rose&prodfinderformroseHeight=4m-over&prodfinderformroseCondGrowingIntoTree=on