Help with Apple Tree

3 years ago

We inherited an apple tree when we move into our house a few years ago. The apple tree has always yielded plenty of delicious apples. However, the tree is quite odd looking and tends to lean heavily in one direction. Recently I noticed the damage to its trunk near the base (see pic). It is still bearing apples but I am worried the tree might die. Can anyone please share any advice on how / if I can save this tree? Many thanks.

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Comments (6)

Sonia
3 years ago
I don’t have an answer but I wonder if it’s been nibbled by rabbits or deer? Are you in the countryside?
Ismail Akudi
Original Author
3 years ago
Unfortunately we are not, a small cul-de-sac in a suburb. Only thing we have is a squirrel which keeps pinching the apples. The tree lurches quite a lot in one direction thanks to the dense trees behind it. I have pruned back all those trees to give it more sunlight and am using pieces of wood to help support the weight as the apples grow bigger. I may need to add more support and find a way to save it.
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Sonia
3 years ago
Staking is a good thing especially with young trees. Below shows how the RHS suggest a tree is staked if that’s any help. Yes squirrels have almost stripped my dwarf apple tree of apples!
Ismail Akudi
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for the tip, I’ll have a look at that. Never really had this problem with the squirrel previously, I’m assuming someone may have stopped feeding it. So I’m trying to find a way to scare it and save my apples. I did consider moving the tree but then I’m a complete novice so I wouldn’t know how.
mii2
3 years ago
It would not take kindly to being moved - it looks too old for that. The tree has had a very tight band from staking around the base of it that has restricted the movement of nutrients and water up from the roots and has caused the bulge at the base. The fact it has this damage from staking infers whoever did it didn’t know how to stake a tree and it may have been also tied high on the stem, this can cause a straight stem with a bent canopy as the tree has to deal with the wind only in this section. Is sounds as if it needs a good prune if you are using wood to help bear the weight of the fruit. Unfortunately it looks like the trunk has split at the base, and the tree is now susceptible to fungal or bacterial attack as the protective bark is exposing the internal wood. Lift the weed membrane and give it a good dose of fertiliser and fingers crossed.
Ismail Akudi
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for the advise. We never really paid attention / took notice of the trunk (or understood it for that matter). I don’t believe the previous owners were gardeners or knew how to care for it. So once the apples have been picked, would you recommend a good prune (something I will have to read up on)? Can I wrap anything around the split trunk to help minimise any attack? I think I have some fertiliser and will give it a good boost. It would be a sad shame to loose the tree, even if I plant another one.

Help with Apple Tree

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Sonia

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Help with Apple Tree

Comments (6)

Sonia

Ismail AkudiOriginal Author

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Sonia

Ismail AkudiOriginal Author

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