Overgrown Apple Trees

[Cow Corner 2.0]

As part of a much wider clearance project (a paddock we couldn’t even get into this time last year), we have discovered some rather overgrown apple trees, which produced a huge amount of fruit last year, but are far too big (maybe 20-30 feet tall) so that all the fruit is well above head height and maintaining them off a ladder in the future will be a bit of a sketchy endeavour.

I’ve been planting lots of new fruit and other trees, so could just take them down and start again, but I’m also slightly loathe to do that so wondered whether anybody has any views on whether to cut them down, cut them right back to a sensible height and hope they recover, or just to leave them as they are and wait for nature to make the decision for me?

Appreciate I’m leaving it late for tree work now spring is on the way, so it might be a job that gets done next winter, but thought I’d put it out to the PH hive mind, as I’ve got very little experience when it comes to fruit trees.

[Cow Corner 2.0]

[biggiles]

I had the same question here - a very mature apple tree, great crop, but far too high up. I prune all of the younger trees with enthusiasm, but I was nervous to prune this Old Man of the orchard.

A very large neighbouring beech fell and took out 80% of the apple tree, leaving a 6-ft high main trunk, and 6ft of branch. I assumed it was dead, tidied it up, and left it to see what happened.

It has bounced back just like the younger apple trees, with plenty of new growth. So based on this sample size of 1, I'd say get the pruning saw out and cut off a lot more than you think. It's perhaps a month too late to do it now, but depends upon where you are located.

[OutInTheShed]

I suggest the RHS website for advice.
If you cut too much out of an apple tree, it will produce lots of poor growth.
I think the advice is to take out no more than 25/30% in one year.

Doing it right will get you to a better tree in a couple of years time.

[netherfield]

The Fruit Expert by Dr Hessayon tells what to do with a neglected tree like yours.

Out of print but search online for a used copy

[netherfield]

netherfield said:

The Fruit Expert by Dr Hessayon tells what to do with a neglected tree like yours.

Out of print but search online for a used copy

[Cow Corner 2.0]

Thanks all, think I’ll give them a light tidy now, given the season and then take a slightly harder cut each year for the next couple of years and see if I can rejuvenate them.

I’ve got nothing to lose by trying to save them.

In the mean time, hopefully the new fruit trees I’ve planted elsewhere over the last two or three years will start to provide a small crop as I’m keen to start making my own cider!