Apple tree help please!

[ShitAppleTree]

Longstanding poster on a name change as also posted on Facebook so didn't want that linked to all my other posts...

We have what should be a lovely fan trained apple tree in our garden. Problem is it looks shit. Our neighbour thinks it's because it doesn't get sufficient winter sun (wall is north east facing) although it's sunny from about 11am-8pm in summer.

If this is the case I think we need to admit defeat after about 5years. There isn't really anywhere we could move it to even if it survived the move.

If there is anything else we can do to try and save it I'd be really keen to try it. Any bright ideas?

More pics:

It's just been pointed out that is north WEST facing, not north east.

Here is a fullsize pic. If cat and background outs me so be it, must just pray for no name change fail!!!

It could be too shady but how far away from the wall is it planted? It might be too dry and not getting enough nutrients from the poor soil/rubble of the wall's foundations. This winter could you prune it back and move it to a free-standing postion, trained as an espalier on wires or let it grow into a bush shape? I have some espaliers (in a sunny position) which are always laden with apples. I think pears do well on a wall but apples like the wind in their hair leaves.

Apple trees don't really need a huge amount of light, so what you're describing there sounds like it should be more than enough.

Water and nutrients are likely to be a bigger problem in this case. Apple trees hate competing with grass or other weeds, so I'd remove some of the grass around the base of the tree. I can't see what's to the left of the tree, but I'm not sure that there is enough good soil there to support a tree that size.

Once you've removed the grass/ weeds, put down farm yard manure (or compost) around the base of the tree, but make sure it doesn't touch the trunk. Alternatively you can give it some all purpose fertiliser. If this makes a difference, you should repeat this every spring to encourage the tree to flower, put on new growth etc.

For what it's worth, I've also got a couple of trained trees against a north west facing wall. They don't produce an overwhelming number of apples, but have lots of good green foliage, so I don't think light levels are the problem.

That's all really helpful thanks. Particularly reassuring that you've managed to below and apple tree in this position BartiDdu.

It's planted about 15cm from the wall. The soil quality is crap, basically it's mostly rubble but when I planted it about 6 years ago I put compost in.

To the size of it is hardcore for a patio dh is building. It doesn't go too deep though and roots were not disturbed putting it in.

I'll try moving some of the grass and fertilising it. I've done the fertiliser before but in fairness not often. Can't remember if it made much of a difference.

It is too thin to get the nutrient to the tips.
You need to MASSIVELY mulch it next winter
but in the mean time a bit of limiting growth is in order.

Stop everything this years growth at 4 leaves.
It may need doing a couple of times.
Then in the winter shorten all of the stems by half
it needs some brute strength
and a pile of food if your soil is poor

do you have a compost bin ?
get one
ideally a hot bin that takes all food waste including meat
in December empty the compost around the tree
repeat every year

till you are coming back asking for chutney recipes

Agree with Talkin - much, much too close to wall tbh . Masses of mulch. loads of water. The roots will be coming out from the wall as far as the tree is tall IYSWIM, so water all that too. Don't put the mulch up to the trunk, spread it out evenly over an area. Maybe put some general fertiser on if you have some to give it a boost this year

Talkin has it!

It is way too long and leggy. Follow the advice, prune correctly and you should be rewarded with tons of apples.

Steve

Thanks all, advice much appreciated. Fingers crossed it works