Apple tree that never bears more than a few apples?

11 years ago

I have a 5 or 6 year old apple tree (don't know the variety) that never has more than a handful of flowers on it.

There are crabapple and 1/2 dozen varieties of apple tree within a couple of hundred feet so pollination can't be the problem.

Other apple trees in the area seem to do fine.

Tree seems healthy. Tried fertlizing with urea last year didn't seem to help. (although it made the grass grow like crazy!)

This tree is one of 1/2 dozen or so in my lawn, not in an orchard. Tree is mulched about 3' across.

It's been pruned to an open center but it's also too tall and I plan on lowering it this winter. My guess is that it's on standard rootstock since it's much larger than my other trees. (I bought it at a big box before I became aware of rootstocks.)

If I can't figure this out I'll be cutting it down.

so - if you have an otherwise healthy tree that doesn't get many flowers (ever) what do you do?

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Comments (9)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
11 years ago
It does sound like it's on a seedling root. If so I'd do just what you said, cut it down. If it's a variety you really want, bud it onto another root first.
daemon2525
11 years ago
I have a yellow delicious from a box store that I am guessing is on M7. It is about 5 years old now and has 3 apples on it. I think that it is possible that your tree just might be taking a while to start producing.

It might have hundreds on it next year.
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Thanks for the responses. How toxic is Immunox/myclobutanil? The warnings of course make it sound horrible and our water comes from a well not far off. Unfortunately, there will be no getting rid of the cedars, for family reasons. And while the area around the trees is mowed and underneath is kept mulched and weeded, the rest of the field (and the surrounding fields) are basically tall weedy grass that gets mowed once a year. That's not going anywhere either unless someone gives me a brush hog and a tractor to pull it with. I guess the best bet moving forward is to try to spray at the right time(s) in the future. I'll look into the suggested sprays for this year, though. Randy - My William's Pride isn't bearing yet (just put it in this year). I've had them from farm stands though and thought they were good enough to try planting. I don't have any tasting notes or anything, though :) Anyway, I hope they're good. Thanks again. Sam
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alan haigh
11 years ago
Varieties vary widely in their precocity. It can take up to 8 years for some varieties on 111 and even M7 in my climate to begin really producing fruit. A lot depends on the soil as well. Richer soil can make a semi-dwarf behave like a full sized tree.

If you are impatient, around the time the other trees are in bloom, use your pruning saw to cut a half circle through the bark right to the wood on the trunk. Cut the other half of the circle a few inches up the trunk from the first cut. This scoring will probably bring about a good flower set for the next years crop.
User
11 years ago
Hi H-man,
Should I do what you suggested on my Honey Crisp? I bought it in pot in 2008. It must have been 3 yrs old tree then. I don't know the root stock. It probably is around 7 yrs old tree this year. It has grown well and healthy with little to no fertilizer. It has never flowered.

Or should I wait some more? Thank you.
alan haigh
11 years ago
If the tree has over a 3" diameter trunk and never flowered I'd probably do it. Honeycrisp isn't usually especially tardy.
denninmi
11 years ago
"Patience, Grasshopper."

I've posted a few times about my Shipova that took years to start to flower. It had a few 2 years ago, a few more last year, and it would have had a good crop this year if they had not all frozen. I think it's about 12-13 years old now. Just takes a while for some trees.
User
11 years ago
I need to check the size of the trunk. It probably about 3" in diameter. It must be on a standard rootstock. I hope the tree was labeled correctly. I bought it from a reputable local nursery.

I may wait a year or two more. With my inexperience, I could turn scoring a tree to torturing or killing it!!!

It's quite frustrating waiting for this tree to fruit when my William's Pride has fruited since its 2nd year from a bare root plant.
alan haigh
11 years ago
The first time you worry about killing the tree, but when lightly cutting you can feel when you've hit wood. You could also do it with a sharp knife but cut away a bit less than a quarter inch of bark.

For central leader trees you can score the trunk above the first tier of branches to calm down the top and get it fruiting when that part of the tree is overly vigorous.
User
11 years ago
Thank you very much, H-man. I'll bookmark this suggestion for future use. I don't want tall tree so I made it open-centered.

I read everything you said about tree pruning, too. I've to admit sometimes it's over my head. I always appreciate your advice.

Apple tree that never bears more than a few apples?

Comments (9)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX

daemon2525

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