Hi all - I just moved into a home that has three apple trees (maybe crab apple, not sure) and all I've been told by the previous owner is that they're old. To me, they look in pretty rough shape, like they're in need of pruning. There are also a lot of small holes on the trunks - maybe a wood pecker of sorts? I'm wondering if anyone can identify the issues with these trees, and offer advice on how I can save them. I do know they produce fruit, as I've seen some around the base of the tree when I first moved in, which was late fall. The apples looked bad, like they were diseased with soft spots on them. Adding pictures of how the trees look now in the winter. I'm located in the Berkshires, fyi. Thanks!
Three old Apple trees to save
- Thread starter Amydig
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The way the holes are in rows looks like what Sapsuckers do over here. It’s so sap will ooze out and they can drink it. I’m not sure if any of your woodpeckers do that though. Some close-up pictures of the medium and small branches would help identify anything else that might be going on that would indicate the health of the trees.
Yes, they definitely could use some thinning and shortening of some of the longer branches. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you might ask at a local nursery if they can recommend someone to do it for you.
Yes, they definitely could use some thinning and shortening of some of the longer branches. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you might ask at a local nursery if they can recommend someone to do it for you.
Thank you! Do you think the damage the potential Sapsuckers have done will harm the tree? It's covering most of the trunk. I'm going to do some pruning research and take a crack at it in a month or so before it starts warming up. I'm adding more photos of some of the smaller branches incase helpful.
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No, Sapsuckers won’t kill the tree. The damage is only on the surface.
They are pruned to be large trees and not for home orchard treatment so will have more ‘ornamental tree’ pruning needs. Try to open up the center and remove anything obviously dead or rubbing/crossing.
They are pruned to be large trees and not for home orchard treatment so will have more ‘ornamental tree’ pruning needs. Try to open up the center and remove anything obviously dead or rubbing/crossing.
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I always start with dead branches, then those crossing over each other, taking out the weaker one. Then I look at opening up the centre and lowering the whole thing. With something as established as that it is hard to take too much (Within limits). Think about having space to get up there and harvest.
Is there any evidence on the trunk of a graft, if there is anything below it should come off, it will be from a rootstock.
A lot of those apples on the ground might well have been okay if picked from the tree.
A 'band' round the trunk stops a lot of disease bearing insects climbing it.
Is there any evidence on the trunk of a graft, if there is anything below it should come off, it will be from a rootstock.
A lot of those apples on the ground might well have been okay if picked from the tree.
A 'band' round the trunk stops a lot of disease bearing insects climbing it.