rutlandite2007: My guess is that you might get more responses if your questions were a bit more specific. It's difficult to answer a question like, "Why won't my apple tree give apples?" There are just too many possibilities to cover them all in an answer. Start with the basics: All pome and stone fruit trees need sun, water and nutrients. Be a little more specific about your zone 5, such as what area of which state? And is your growing area urban, suburban or rural? Maybe the tree is being shaded out by a building or another tree. Do you irrigate? It's easy to water too much. Good draining soil is a must. What kind of soil do you have, i.e., clay or loamy or sandy? Do other things grow in it? And so on. A picture, of course, would help. Try to do some research on your own. Many state agricultural colleges have websites with good info on how to grow fruit. Then condense your questions to one question. Then after you feel you have an answer, ask a second question and so on. Growing fruit can be overwhelming when just coming out of the gate. There's much to consider. But just hang in there with the basics and you'll find that you'll learn as you go, just like we all did. juniorpilot

That is usual for these trees. They don't bloom well ahead of the leaves like star magnolias or 'Okame' cherry trees. Normally the flowers are seen against at least partly developed leaves. With hundreds of kinds being planted in diverse sites and climates, how far along the leaves are when the flowers open does vary.

hi you are not going take make grandpa look like a 20 something stud ... thru judicious pruning ... i would have no problem removing anything crossing or injured .... anything drooping ... and otherwise.. i might consider planting some replacement trees ... if necessary ... so that in the next few years.. you can get rid of this old man.. IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT ... otherwise.. leave it alone.. forcing your expectation on a geriatric tree.. most likely is not going to work out in the long run ... seriously.. on an acre and a half .... you need to make this one a project ???? .... hmmm ... i am sure there are a lot of other things that need to be done .... whatever you decide.. have a great time doing it ... this would be great tree to learn how to prune on ... ken

Sounds like Apple Scab, a fungal leaf disease commonly encountered on apple and crabapple trees in the Chicago area. You can read more about the disease and treatment options at the link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Apple Scab