[Patti]

We have an orchard of 30 apple trees that has not been touched in about 20 years. The trees do bare apples - however, the trees have not been pruned. We have lived in the house only 3 years, and I have not had time to work with the trees. I would like to rejuvinate them, is it possible? They produce the apples, but they are not really great. We let them drop to the ground for the deer - our reward in the past has been venision, however - I would love to try working with the apple trees so we are able to have fresh apples.

 

[Mrs_stuart]

Hi there, I found a few sites that may help you out.

http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/2409.htm

http://www.gardenline.usask.ca/fruit/prunapp.html

We have two old apple trees that were horrible when we moved in and we have trimmed them up and they are getting better. The first time we trimmed lots, we didn't get any apples the next year and i thought i may have killed the poor things. But after that they have started to get better.

Good luck.

Belinda

 

[Patti]

Thank you so much, I am going to check out the websites!! Thats encouraging news... I've heard it is "possible" - but, I love first hand expreience.

 

[Mrs_stuart]

Hope it works out! keep us informed.

Belinda

 

[Gayle in KY]

I rejuvenated a bunch of old plum and apple trees. The fruit used to be tiny, but now it's great (and they make tons of it!). I don't know how crowded yours are, but I had to cut down about two thirds of my trees because they were so close together. The ones I left are still pretty close, but at least you can walk between them, now.

After thinning out the trees, I cut out all the dead wood. Then, the real pruning began. I prune in late winter, removing no more than one third of the branches each year, until I had them looking good. I still need to do one more pruning, next winter, but they are nearly there. The past two years, I've had lots of fruit, as I said, and the trees are much healthier. Also, I spray them with Neem oil.