Something up with my apple tree :-(

[GreyishDays]

It hasn’t grown well with year and it’s got brown leaves. Googling suggests many different things, I’m not sure how to tell which one is is. Here are some pics. It’s three years old and about six feet tall. I’ve watered it all summer, I think. Nothing else I’ve planted has died (this year!).

Anyone got any ideas please? I feel I should do something with it.

Don't know where in the UK you are but its been a tough summer weather wise. That just looks like drought/wind damage.

Sorry should have said best solution would be to put some mulch on that bare soil and give it a feed overwinter.

Ah thank you. We’re in Scotland so it hasn’t been very hot.

You're doing well if you're in Scotland!

What variety of apple? There are hundreds of varieties and it can be useful to search out a variety that is good for your particular conditions, considering older varieties as well as modern ones. Googling scotland apple varieties gives various lists, including here. I garden in the north of england so this was definitely one of the things I considered when choosing my apples.