Apple Tree Problems
By webeishere
@webeishere (36313)
United States
July 12, 2007 3:14pm CST
Okay as most my friends know I have 2 apple trees in my back yard. Now my Honeycrisp is posing a semi problem I feel. It has around 100 medium sized apples on the branches. Being as I am new to the fruit tree field I need to see if anyone here has a solution or whatever for this problem. As you can see by the attactched photo my apples will be ready in about 2 months or less to harvest. The problem is that this is a 2 year old tree. The trunk is maybe 2 inches in diameter. The branches are much smaller. As you can tell in this photo the weight of this many apples has caused the brances to drop heavily almost touching the ground. My question is do I need to support the branches or what? I've never had this before. The tree seems fine as it stands but I hate the look of the branches drooping like they do from the weight. But the apples are still doing great AS WELL. HELP PLEASE?
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
7 people like this
10 responses
@kareng (59632)
• United States
12 Jul 07
Wozer! Looks like a great crop you have there. I have a similar problem with my satsuma and tangerine tree. The limbs are all bending and drooping because there is so much fruit on the limbs. I have never propped up any branches in the past and never had any break before. However, the apples may be heavier than satsumas and tangerines. Do you have a cooperative extension in your area that you could call and inquire?
Have fun eating all those apples!
4 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 Jul 07
They actually seem fine dropping as they are. Even in the 45 MPH
winds the other day the tree held up fine. I have thought about
calling the Ag dept at the University of Minnesota but decided
I'll ask here instead. Thanks bunches.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !~~
2 people like this
@windwalker (65)
• United States
13 Jul 07
we had a tree that actually pulled out of the ground because it was to heavy with apples. so keep an eye on the ground around the tree for any signs of stress you may have to remove some of the apples early for the sake of the tree and future crops. we lost most of out fruit due the the april freeze this year :(
3 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
12 Jul 07
WOW!! Sorry, but I would love to have that problem with my apple tree's. On mine, you have to look close to see the apple(s). Yeah, don't know if the squirrels have taken them all yet or not.
4 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I don't have a problem with squirrels in my back yard.
Mainly due to my buddy Buster (Beagle). He chases them away all the time.
2 people like this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
12 Jul 07
You need to help your tree out by supporting the branches or they will break. My dad had a huge orchard and he would take 2x4s, cut a notch in one end, cut it down to the appropiate size and slip them under the branches to hold them up. So many tasty apples, are you planning on having an apple cider party come fall time? I love fresh apple cider, apple crisp, and apple pie.
3 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I can't see me having lumber like that for just one tree thoigh. HAHAHAHA!! Heres a close up one great looking apple. The ones on the Harlared are looking good also. Only 5 on that tree as it's the firsy year for that one to bloom etc. I am going to make pies, apple crisp and maybe a little cider. Who knows. I dont have a lot of apples and I've got a 9 year old grandson who is dying to get at them as he loves fresh apples. HAHAHA!!
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB!!~
3 people like this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
31 Jul 07
Thank you for the B/R, Grandpa Bob. Next year if you get so many apples, wait till the apples are bout the size of your thumb and then thin them out by removing every other apple along the branches. My dad did that as well cause then the tree will concentrate on producing bigger fruit from the remaining apples. This works with pears, plums, and peaches as well.
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I want some. I do not know if you need to support the branches or not. If it was me I would but I am not a gardner. LOL
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 Jul 07
Thank you very much. The apples are very healthy. Looking over most of them I only see a few that got bit by some bugs and or birds. So my dog Buster does his job keeping them birds at bay. HAHAHA. Going to see what else info I get about supporting the branches. It's a lot of branches though. Hahahaha!!
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
16 Jul 07
Oh no- problems with your great apple trees – Too many apples for such a young tree—I really don’t know what you are supposed to do- I’m just thinking maybe take some apples off- you know how you thin out carrots and beets so the others will grow bigger?? Maybe you do the same with fruit trees?
@abroji (3247)
• India
13 Jul 07
I think you had enough advice from here, now you can contact the University people for expert advice, though I doubt what other advice can they give than providing some wooden support to the drooping branches. Other wise they may ask to ampute some branches to relieve the tree from the stress of over weight. Lol.
Thank you GRANDPA BOB.
1 person likes this
@tinamwhite (3252)
• United States
13 Jul 07
My Granny used to support her newer fruit trees with a cut piece of wood placed to help support some of the weight....fear of branches breaking plaqued her mind....(see plaqued minds run in our family...LOL)
I hope that you find a solution, my friend....
Apples look good....so I will be expecting my fresh apples by UPS in a few months...LMAO
2 people like this
