Apple tree problem

[Sheeps]

Could anyone please let me know what to do with this tree. There is 2 different types of branch growing off the root stock, can I cut 1 off this time of year and whick branch is the 1 do I need to cut?

 

[Kidds]

Cut the red one,
No! cut the green one!

 

[Kidds]

Leave the best looking one and don't let it happen again. The tree has gone to a great deal of effort to produce the other shoot, you should have cut it off before now so it would put that effort into the one you want.
Can't see from the pic but make sure you are not cutting below where the graft is or you will be left with just the rootstock. You should be able to tell if you look closely.

 

[C.J]

The natural growth of that root stock is the lighter coloured bark with the "thorns".

The graft has the darker coloured bark.

It's not the right time of year for pruning but I think you should cut back the natural growth asap before it dominates and your graft dies off.

 

[GrannyAching]

The natural growth of that root stock is the lighter coloured bark with the "thorns".

The graft has the darker coloured bark.

It's not the right time of year for pruning but I think you should cut back the natural growth asap before it dominates and your graft dies off.

I agree. You have a problem here. It looks like you've got water roots as well - the thin, spindly ones growing from near the ground.

Pruning should only really be done in Winter once the sap has gone down. Looking at this, whenever you do it you are probably going to have a big risk of rot from the wound. It is hard without seeing the tree. The only thing I could suggest for this year is that you cut all the top growth off the root stock so the tree is putting all its resources into the main stem. Make all the cuts really clean and angled to let rain drain off them.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say that if it was mine, I'd probably cut the root stock leader back next winter but not level with the trunk - a few inches out with a slope going back under neath. Stick some wound paste on it (you can make your own - recipes on line) and hope for the best. Water roots all off at ground level at the same time.

Or I'd buy another one and look after it from the start.

My disclaimer is, I only know what I think I know from a bit of experience, lots of reading and the person who came to show me how to look after my trees a few years ago. Others will surely have more knowledge and disagree. Good luck.

 

[Kidds]

Looks more like cherry than apple to me

 

[C.J]

Looks more like cherry than apple to me

I agree - Prunus not apple - plum or cherry family.

 

[Sheeps]

Looks more like cherry than apple to me

You could be right there. I have abandoned the veg patch for 10 years as I hadn't time with working away alot. I have too much time now so that's why I started into it again. This is a picture of the flower on the good trunk.

 

[agrimax]

That's apple.

 

[Bongodog]

I agree - Prunus not apple - plum or cherry family.

Crab apples have thorns, and thats probably where the rootstock was derived from. Its definitely the wood with the thorns that needs to go. I'd agree with Grannyaching's advice.

Do you know what variety/size it's meant to be ?

 

[Bongodog]

That's apple.

? As the song goes "cherry pink, and apple blossom white"

 

[GrannyAching]

? As the song goes "cherry pink, and apple blossom white"

Gotta tell ya, my wild cherries are white! (Although I'l grant you a pink sheen.)

 

[agrimax]

The leaves aren't cherry.........

 

[Kidds]

In my apple orchards today

 

[GrannyAching]

In my apple orchards today

I was about to post something similar of one if my apples. Here's a Victoria Plum for comparison. I'll get some if the wild cherries tomorrow.

 

[agrimax]

The op's is certainly not cherry going by the leaves but I forgot about plum...... Could be plum going by the bark.

 

[GrannyAching]

The op's is certainly not cherry going by the leaves but I forgot about plum...... Could be plum going by the bark.

I need better pictures tbh.

 

[possumbility]

So have I been eating cherry crumbles and cherry pies for the last 56 years, from my pink blossomed apple trees?

 

[Exfarmer]

I need better pictures tbh.

I think it is plum, but @Kidds is the expert

 

[britt]

Apples should be pruned in spring as they start to grow away, that way you can see the difference between a blossom bud and a leaf bud ( blossom buds are longer).
I would wait and see what grows on each branch this season and prune next year.