Older apple trees often bear little fruit when they are harvested, although they actually appear healthy. Replacing it with a younger tree is not always necessary, as an old tree can be nursed back to health with just one cut.

Inspect the tree for diseases and bugs

If a tree does not bring the desired yield or shows other abnormalities, age does not always have to be to blame for these effects. Changes in solar radiation at a location or developing waterlogging can suddenly mean that the needs of an apple tree are less well met as the tree grows older. If the crown is not sufficiently thinned out during regular cutting in winter or summer, diseases such as the notorious powdery mildew can be the result.

Replacing it with a young tree is not easy

There are good reasons to take all available measures before replacing an old apple tree with a young one. One of them is the difficulty of planting an apple tree again in the same location. Since the apple tree does not tolerate this well, the following work steps would be necessary:

  • Pruning the old apple tree
  • Processing or disposal of the resulting material
  • Removal of root stock with excavator or by hand
  • Partial replacement of the substrate in the planting hole
  • Replanting of a young apple tree

In addition, when this work is done, you must also have the patience to wait for the young tree to grow until it bears an appreciable number of fruits again.

Experiment with other apple varieties on the same tree

If the trunk and roots of the old apple tree look healthy, it can sometimes become more vital through a targeted rejuvenation pruning. Lifespan can also be extended when a new variety of apple is grafted onto the old strain.

tips and tricks

Grafting new apple varieties onto an existing apple tree can also be used to facilitate pollination of the apple blossoms. To do this, graft the branches of different apple varieties side by side on the same tree.

Category:

Trees