Whether you choose to use synthetic chemical products or the less toxic, more environmentally friendly ones, adherence to a strict schedule is important. The first treatment, applied in early March, consists of a dormant oil sprayed thoroughly over the tree's trunk and branches. This petroleum-based product is applied before the tree begins active growth, but only if the temperature is 40 degrees with no danger of freezing or rain for the next 24 hours.
Once the flowers start to bud, freezing temperatures would kill off the flower buds and the apple tree will naturally shed the blossoms and small apples it started producing. An apple tree will produce many more flower blossoms than it can possible grow into mature apples, knowing that not all the blossoms will get pollinated.
The apple tree produces a hormone that will limit the number of apples it can produce. Instead of producing a large number of stunted apples, it concentrates its energy on fewer fruit so that these apples may grow to their fullest potential.
Apple trees produce clusters of apple blossoms. Using sharp scissors, cut the stem of the smallest, diseased, or mis-formed apples in each cluster, leaving the largest and healthiest to grow to maturity. Each apple should be no less than inches apart, so prune any that are too close together. Pruning young apples from your apple tree will also prevent the apple tree from becoming a biennial.
When an apple tree produces too many apples one year, it will skip a year to rest and restock its carbohydrate reserves before producing another bumper crop in the following year. Proper apple pruning will prevent this, and allow the apple tree to produce a consistent crop of apples every year. Pruning out extra apples will also help the overall health of the apple tree in the long run, by preventing stress from forcing it to produce too many apples at once.
Another reason why semi-mature apples can fall off an apple tree is from heavy summer pruning. Apple trees should be pruned in the winter or early spring while the tree is still dormant. Read our in-depth guide on how to prune apple trees to fully understand what happens when you over-prune. Pruning an apple tree in the peak of summer will cause problems like a lack of carbohydrates from too many leaves being removed, especially younger and more functional leaves. The reduction in photosynthesis will cause a shortage of carbohydrates which is needs to produce healthy apples.
Once the extent of natural apple losses are known, fruit thinning decisions can be made. If the June drop is severe every year and affects yields, the cultivation regime of the tree should be reviewed. Pruning to allow more light into the tree is one aspect that gardeners can try. A lack of nitrogen is thought to be sometimes involved so attention should be paid to applying a general fertiliser such as Growmore each spring.
However, be careful not to over-fertilise as excessive nitrogen can itself lead to fruit losses. Insufficient soil moisture may contribute to fruit fall. Watering, followed by mulching , in dry spring weather may help. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. Take action Why take action? Support us Donate Careers Commercial opportunities Leave a legacy.
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Harlow Carr North Yorkshire. Honey bee colonies have been greatly reduced by mite infestations. This would result in the loss of large numbers of small fruit early in the growing season.
Another factor may be the shade from nearby trees. Apple trees need several hours of direct sunlight each day. If the surrounding trees that are shading the gravel are also shading the tree, the competition for light could be causing the loss of fruit. In addition to competing with the apple tree for light, these trees are also competing for water and nutrients.
Competition for light, water, and nutrients may be a more difficult problem to solve, especially if the other trees are on your neighbors' properties. More frequent irrigation should help if this is the problem. Finally, there is a percentage of fruit that will drop in the summer every year. This is aggravated by competition from other trees and by the infestation by codling moths.
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