#1: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-20 00:41:37 by TG

I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring), and
planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced fruit
the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
since.

They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem to
be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring (05)
I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly more
out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.

Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is a
matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible move
them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I have
seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded and
there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC and I
now live in northeastern Alberta.

So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send jpegs of
the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...


TIA

Report this message

Mr Ad

Google

#2: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-20 07:49:44 by sherwindu

A few facts are missing. Did the trees produce any blossoms? If yes, then it
could
be a pollination issue. If not, the trees may be in a biennial cycle, where
they will produce fruit every other year. Control against this is proper
thinning, so that the trees do not overproduce in any given year.

Sherwin D.

TG wrote:

> I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring), and
> planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
> poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced fruit
> the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
> since.
>
> They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem to
> be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring (05)
> I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly more
> out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.
>
> Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is a
> matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible move
> them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I have
> seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded and
> there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC and I
> now live in northeastern Alberta.
>
> So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send jpegs of
> the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...
>
> TIA

Report this message

#3: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-20 14:35:41 by Jangchub

You will most likely never get apples. They require full sunshine.
Anything else I can say is moot. However, you also have to select the
proper chill hour trees.

On Mon, 19 Jun 2006 22:41:37 GMT, TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:

>I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring), and
>planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
>poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced fruit
>the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
>since.
>
>They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem to
>be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring (05)
>I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly more
>out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.
>
>Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is a
>matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible move
>them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I have
>seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded and
>there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC and I
>now live in northeastern Alberta.
>
>So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send jpegs of
>the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...
>
>
>TIA

Report this message

#4: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-20 15:25:03 by dr-solo

the first year they produced on what was stored when you planted them. actually,
your instructions for planting should have told you to strip the flowers off to let
the tree growth take all the energy. growth and reproduction are opposing needs.
once trees produce, they divert energy from growth. sun is essential for production,
and if you didnt buy dwarf apple trees, I suggest that you do and make ABSOLUTELY
SURE you are on extremely hard rootstock, something like P22.
It could also be that winter is killing the fruiting buds. I am not sure what your
zone is and how winter hardy your apple selection is. Ingrid

TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:
>I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring), and
>planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
>poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced fruit
>the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
>since.
>
>They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem to
>be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring (05)
>I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly more
>out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.
>
>Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is a
>matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible move
>them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I have
>seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded and
>there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC and I
>now live in northeastern Alberta.
>
>So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send jpegs of
>the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...
>
>
>TIA



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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I do not run nor receive any money from the ads at the old Puregold site.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zone 5 next to Lake Michigan

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#5: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-20 16:34:01 by TG

Thanks for the answers all.

The first year they did not produce, it was the next year.

There has been very little or no blossoming in the past 2 springs

I am in zone 2 or 2a, and I'm not sure what the trees are as the labels
have faded.

dr-solo@wi.rr.xx.com wrote:
> the first year they produced on what was stored when you planted them. actually,
> your instructions for planting should have told you to strip the flowers off to let
> the tree growth take all the energy. growth and reproduction are opposing needs.
> once trees produce, they divert energy from growth. sun is essential for production,
> and if you didnt buy dwarf apple trees, I suggest that you do and make ABSOLUTELY
> SURE you are on extremely hard rootstock, something like P22.
> It could also be that winter is killing the fruiting buds. I am not sure what your
> zone is and how winter hardy your apple selection is. Ingrid
>
> TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:
>
>>I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring), and
>>planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
>>poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced fruit
>>the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
>>since.
>>
>>They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem to
>>be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring (05)
>>I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly more
>>out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.
>>
>>Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is a
>>matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible move
>>them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I have
>>seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded and
>>there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC and I
>>now live in northeastern Alberta.
>>
>>So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send jpegs of
>>the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...
>>
>>
>>TIA
>
>
>
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List at
> http://weloveteaching.com/puregold/
> sign up: http://groups.google.com/groups/dir?hl=en&q=puregold& ;qt_s=Group+lookup
> www.drsolo.com
> Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> I receive no compensation for running the Puregold list or Puregold website.
> I do not run nor receive any money from the ads at the old Puregold site.
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Zone 5 next to Lake Michigan

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#6: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-20 19:17:40 by Jangchub

You should easily find varieties to suit your conditions, but no fruit
tree will bloom or fruit unless it is in full sun. Full sun means all
day long, morning till evening, at least 8-10 hours.

The only reason it put out any fruit was a mechanism of survival. The
tree was very stressed out and trees will produce a few fruits under
those conditions when they are ready to die.

On Tue, 20 Jun 2006 14:34:01 GMT, TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:

>Thanks for the answers all.
>
>The first year they did not produce, it was the next year.
>
>There has been very little or no blossoming in the past 2 springs
>
>I am in zone 2 or 2a, and I'm not sure what the trees are as the labels
>have faded.
>
>dr-solo@wi.rr.xx.com wrote:
>> the first year they produced on what was stored when you planted them. actually,
>> your instructions for planting should have told you to strip the flowers off to let
>> the tree growth take all the energy. growth and reproduction are opposing needs.
>> once trees produce, they divert energy from growth. sun is essential for production,
>> and if you didnt buy dwarf apple trees, I suggest that you do and make ABSOLUTELY
>> SURE you are on extremely hard rootstock, something like P22.
>> It could also be that winter is killing the fruiting buds. I am not sure what your
>> zone is and how winter hardy your apple selection is. Ingrid
>>
>> TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:
>>
>>>I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring), and
>>>planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
>>>poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced fruit
>>>the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
>>>since.
>>>
>>>They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem to
>>>be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring (05)
>>>I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly more
>>>out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.
>>>
>>>Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is a
>>>matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible move
>>>them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I have
>>>seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded and
>>>there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC and I
>>>now live in northeastern Alberta.
>>>
>>>So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send jpegs of
>>>the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...
>>>
>>>
>>>TIA
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List at
>> http://weloveteaching.com/puregold/
>> sign up: http://groups.google.com/groups/dir?hl=en&q=puregold& ;qt_s=Group+lookup
>> www.drsolo.com
>> Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> I receive no compensation for running the Puregold list or Puregold website.
>> I do not run nor receive any money from the ads at the old Puregold site.
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> Zone 5 next to Lake Michigan

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#7: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-20 20:37:22 by dr-solo

"Apple trees (fruiting varieties) are listed as hardy from zones 4 to 8, though there
are a few crabapple species that are hardy to Zone 2. If you want to grow an apple
tree, however, it isn't impossible! Planting the tree on a south facing slope with
good drainage and protection from winter winds can raise the microclimate of an area,
to the point that you may have success with apples. It can be quite amazing what you
can grow in lower zones if you put plants in just the right places. I would suggest
that the best place to look for plants that will survive your conditions would be a
local nursery, if you have one, or in seed catalogues such as McFayden, West Coast
Seeds, or Thompson and Morgan, if you want a few names to get started with."
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=55 6
you need to contact a university or some such that can give you advice on what to
plant and how to create microclimates. I think the blossoms are getting killed.
Ingrid

TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:

>Thanks for the answers all.
>
>The first year they did not produce, it was the next year.
>
>There has been very little or no blossoming in the past 2 springs
>
>I am in zone 2 or 2a, and I'm not sure what the trees are as the labels
>have faded.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List at
http://weloveteaching.com/puregold/
sign up: http://groups.google.com/groups/dir?hl=en&q=puregold& ;qt_s=Group+lookup
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I receive no compensation for running the Puregold list or Puregold website.
I do not run nor receive any money from the ads at the old Puregold site.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zone 5 next to Lake Michigan

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#8: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-21 07:11:59 by sherwindu

Maybe you should tell that to several apple trees in my backyard getting a half
day
of sun.

Sherwin D.

Jangchub wrote:

> You will most likely never get apples. They require full sunshine.
> Anything else I can say is moot. However, you also have to select the
> proper chill hour trees.
>
> On Mon, 19 Jun 2006 22:41:37 GMT, TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:
>
> >I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring), and
> >planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
> >poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced fruit
> >the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
> >since.
> >
> >They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem to
> >be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring (05)
> >I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly more
> >out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.
> >
> >Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is a
> >matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible move
> >them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I have
> >seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded and
> >there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC and I
> >now live in northeastern Alberta.
> >
> >So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send jpegs of
> >the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...
> >
> >
> >TIA

Report this message

#9: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-21 07:51:47 by sherwindu

--------------D3311B00688890152840975B
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

TG,

Here are a few measures you can take to try and correct this problem.

Try some light Winter pruning. It sometimes stimulates the trees to produce
blossoms.

Check the chemical makeup of the soil around the trees. It could be something
like a Nitrogen deficiency, or something else.

Try pruning some of the trees shading the apple trees to see if light is a factor. As
I have mentioned elsewhere in this thread, I have apple and other fruit trees that
do ok in partial sun. It depends somewhat on which variety you have.

Sherwin D.

TG wrote:

> Thanks for the answers all.
>
> The first year they did not produce, it was the next year.
>
> There has been very little or no blossoming in the past 2 springs
>
> I am in zone 2 or 2a, and I'm not sure what the trees are as the labels
> have faded.
>
> dr-solo@wi.rr.xx.com wrote:
> > the first year they produced on what was stored when you planted them. actually,
> > your instructions for planting should have told you to strip the flowers off to let
> > the tree growth take all the energy. growth and reproduction are opposing needs.
> > once trees produce, they divert energy from growth. sun is essential for production,
> > and if you didnt buy dwarf apple trees, I suggest that you do and make ABSOLUTELY
> > SURE you are on extremely hard rootstock, something like P22.
> > It could also be that winter is killing the fruiting buds. I am not sure what your
> > zone is and how winter hardy your apple selection is. Ingrid
> >
> > TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:
> >
> >>I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring), and
> >>planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
> >>poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced fruit
> >>the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
> >>since.
> >>
> >>They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem to
> >>be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring (05)
> >>I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly more
> >>out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.
> >>
> >>Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is a
> >>matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible move
> >>them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I have
> >>seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded and
> >>there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC and I
> >>now live in northeastern Alberta.
> >>
> >>So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send jpegs of
> >>the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...
> >>
> >>
> >>TIA
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List at
> > http://weloveteaching.com/puregold/
> > sign up: http://groups.google.com/groups/dir?hl=en&q=puregold& ;qt_s=Group+lookup
> > www.drsolo.com
> > Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > I receive no compensation for running the Puregold list or Puregold website.
> > I do not run nor receive any money from the ads at the old Puregold site.
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > Zone 5 next to Lake Michigan

--------------D3311B00688890152840975B
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en">
<html>
TG,
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; Here are a few measures you can take to try and correct
this problem.
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; Try&nbsp; some light Winter pruning.&nbsp; It sometimes
stimulates the trees to produce
<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; blossoms.
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; Check the chemical makeup of the soil around the trees.&nbsp;
It could be something
<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; like a Nitrogen deficiency, or something else.
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; Try pruning some of the trees shading the apple trees to
see if light is a factor.&nbsp; As
<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; I have mentioned elsewhere in this thread, I have apple
and other fruit trees that
<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; do ok in partial sun.&nbsp; It depends somewhat on which
variety you have.
<p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Sherwin D.
<p>TG wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE>Thanks for the answers all.
<p>The first year they did not produce, it was the next year.
<p>There has been very little or no blossoming in the past 2 springs
<p>I am in zone 2 or 2a, and I'm not sure what the trees are as the labels
<br>have faded.
<p>dr-solo@wi.rr.xx.com wrote:
<br>> the first year they produced on what was stored when you planted
them.&nbsp; actually,
<br>> your instructions for planting should have told you to strip the
flowers off to let
<br>> the tree growth take all the energy.&nbsp; growth and reproduction
are opposing needs.
<br>> once trees produce, they divert energy from growth.&nbsp; sun is
essential for production,
<br>> and if you didnt buy dwarf apple trees, I suggest that you do and
make ABSOLUTELY
<br>> SURE you are on extremely hard rootstock, something like P22.
<br>> It could also be that winter is killing the fruiting buds.&nbsp;
I am not sure what your
<br>> zone is and how winter hardy your apple selection is. Ingrid
<br>>
<br>> TG &lt;spam@spam.com> wrote:
<br>>
<br>>>I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring),
and
<br>>>planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
<br>>>poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced
fruit
<br>>>the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
<br>>>since.
<br>>>
<br>>>They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem
to
<br>>>be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring
(05)
<br>>>I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly
more
<br>>>out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.
<br>>>
<br>>>Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is
a
<br>>>matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible
move
<br>>>them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I
have
<br>>>seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded
and
<br>>>there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC
and I
<br>>>now live in northeastern Alberta.
<br>>>
<br>>>So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send jpegs
of
<br>>>the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...
<br>>>
<br>>>
<br>>>TIA
<br>>
<br>>
<br>>
<br>>
<br>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<br>> List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List at
<br>> <a href="http://weloveteaching.com/puregold/">http://weloveteaching.com/puregold/</a>
<br>> sign up: <a href=" http://groups.google.com/groups/dir?hl=en&q=puregold& ;qt_s=Group+lookup">http://groups.google.com/groups/dir?hl=en&amp;q=puregold&amp;qt_s=Group+lookup</a>
<br>> www.drsolo.com
<br>> Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
<br>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<br>> I receive no compensation for running the Puregold list or Puregold
website.
<br>> I do not run nor receive any money from the ads at the old Puregold
site.
<br>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<br>> Zone 5 next to Lake Michigan</blockquote>
</html>

--------------D3311B00688890152840975B--

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#10: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-21 07:53:49 by sherwindu

Jangchub wrote:

> You should easily find varieties to suit your conditions, but no fruit
> tree will bloom or fruit unless it is in full sun. Full sun means all
> day long, morning till evening, at least 8-10 hours.

Where are you getting your information from? Yes, they will do better
in full sun, but it is not a requirement as I know from my own experiences.

Sherwin D.

>
>
> The only reason it put out any fruit was a mechanism of survival. The
> tree was very stressed out and trees will produce a few fruits under
> those conditions when they are ready to die.
>

Report this message

#11: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-21 07:56:39 by sherwindu

dr-solo@wi.rr.xx.com wrote:

> plant and how to create microclimates. I think the blossoms are getting killed.
> Ingrid

If you read his postings carefully, he says he almost never gets any blossoms. If
you are refering to something killing the flower buds, that is something else.

Sherwin D.

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#12: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-21 14:00:38 by Jangchub

How long is half a day?

On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:11:59 -0500, sherwindu <sherwindu@comcast.net>
wrote:

>Maybe you should tell that to several apple trees in my backyard getting a half
>day
>of sun.
>
> Sherwin D.
>
>Jangchub wrote:
>
>> You will most likely never get apples. They require full sunshine.
>> Anything else I can say is moot. However, you also have to select the
>> proper chill hour trees.
>>
>> On Mon, 19 Jun 2006 22:41:37 GMT, TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:
>>
>> >I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring), and
>> >planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
>> >poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced fruit
>> >the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
>> >since.
>> >
>> >They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem to
>> >be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring (05)
>> >I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly more
>> >out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.
>> >
>> >Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is a
>> >matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible move
>> >them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I have
>> >seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded and
>> >there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC and I
>> >now live in northeastern Alberta.
>> >
>> >So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send jpegs of
>> >the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...
>> >
>> >
>> >TIA

Report this message

#13: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-21 17:24:43 by TG

Thanks

The trees seem very healthy, lots of leaves and new growth, just no
blossoms. I was thinking about pruning this fall/early winter, do you
know any good online resources on pruning?

I am thinking about relocating them to a sunnier location, but they have
been in about 4 years now and are pretty established. Where they are
they do get 5-6 hours of sunlight in the months of may/june/jul and a
tad less on each side of those.

A soil test is a good idea, I did put in some fruit tree spikes this
spring as well.

sherwindu wrote:
> TG,
>
> Here are a few measures you can take to try and correct this problem.
>
> Try some light Winter pruning. It sometimes stimulates the trees to
> produce
> blossoms.
>
> Check the chemical makeup of the soil around the trees. It could be
> something
> like a Nitrogen deficiency, or something else.
>
> Try pruning some of the trees shading the apple trees to see if light
> is a factor. As
> I have mentioned elsewhere in this thread, I have apple and other
> fruit trees that
> do ok in partial sun. It depends somewhat on which variety you have.
>
> Sherwin D.
>
> TG wrote:
>
>> Thanks for the answers all.
>>
>> The first year they did not produce, it was the next year.
>>
>> There has been very little or no blossoming in the past 2 springs
>>
>> I am in zone 2 or 2a, and I'm not sure what the trees are as the labels
>> have faded.
>>
>> dr-solo@wi.rr.xx.com wrote:
>> > the first year they produced on what was stored when you planted
>> them. actually,
>> > your instructions for planting should have told you to strip the
>> flowers off to let
>> > the tree growth take all the energy. growth and reproduction are
>> opposing needs.
>> > once trees produce, they divert energy from growth. sun is
>> essential for production,
>> > and if you didnt buy dwarf apple trees, I suggest that you do and
>> make ABSOLUTELY
>> > SURE you are on extremely hard rootstock, something like P22.
>> > It could also be that winter is killing the fruiting buds. I am not
>> sure what your
>> > zone is and how winter hardy your apple selection is. Ingrid
>> >
>> > TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:
>> >
>> >>I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring), and
>> >>planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
>> >>poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced
>> fruit
>> >>the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
>> >>since.
>> >>
>> >>They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem to
>> >>be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring
>> (05)
>> >>I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly more
>> >>out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.
>> >>
>> >>Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is a
>> >>matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible move
>> >>them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I have
>> >>seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded and
>> >>there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC and I
>> >>now live in northeastern Alberta.
>> >>
>> >>So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send
>> jpegs of
>> >>the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>TIA
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> > List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List at
>> > http://weloveteaching.com/puregold/
>> > sign up:
>> http://groups.google.com/groups/dir?hl=en&q=puregold& ;qt_s=Group+lookup
>> < http://groups.google.com/groups/dir?hl=en&q=puregold& ;qt_s=Group+lookup>
>> > www.drsolo.com
>> > Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
>> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> > I receive no compensation for running the Puregold list or Puregold
>> website.
>> > I do not run nor receive any money from the ads at the old Puregold
>> site.
>> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> > Zone 5 next to Lake Michigan
>>

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#14: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-22 07:10:57 by sherwindu

Say about 4 hours. Most of my apple trees are semi-dwarfs on the west side of my
house and only get the afternoon sun. A few are on my south boundary north of a
line of my neighbors tall pines and buckthorn. Even less light gets there.

Sherwin D.

Jangchub wrote:

> How long is half a day?
>
> On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:11:59 -0500, sherwindu <sherwindu@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
> >Maybe you should tell that to several apple trees in my backyard getting a half
> >day
> >of sun.
> >
> > Sherwin D.
> >
> >Jangchub wrote:
> >
> >> You will most likely never get apples. They require full sunshine.
> >> Anything else I can say is moot. However, you also have to select the
> >> proper chill hour trees.
> >>
> >> On Mon, 19 Jun 2006 22:41:37 GMT, TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> >I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring), and
> >> >planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
> >> >poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced fruit
> >> >the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
> >> >since.
> >> >
> >> >They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem to
> >> >be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring (05)
> >> >I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly more
> >> >out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.
> >> >
> >> >Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is a
> >> >matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible move
> >> >them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I have
> >> >seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded and
> >> >there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC and I
> >> >now live in northeastern Alberta.
> >> >
> >> >So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send jpegs of
> >> >the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >TIA

Report this message

#15: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-22 07:20:23 by sherwindu

TG wrote:

> Thanks
>
> The trees seem very healthy, lots of leaves and new growth, just no
> blossoms. I was thinking about pruning this fall/early winter, do you
> know any good online resources on pruning?

There are numerous sites on the web about pruning. Just plug in 'fruit tree
pruning'
into google.


>
>
> I am thinking about relocating them to a sunnier location, but they have
> been in about 4 years now and are pretty established.

I would only move one at this time as an experiment to see if sunlight is
really
a factor here. Of course, moving it introduces a new variable of possibly
different
soil, etc.

> Where they are
> they do get 5-6 hours of sunlight in the months of may/june/jul and a
> tad less on each side of those.

As I answered before, that normally is plenty of sunlight.

>
>
> A soil test is a good idea, I did put in some fruit tree spikes this
> spring as well.
>
> sherwindu wrote:
> > TG,
> >
> > Here are a few measures you can take to try and correct this problem.
> >
> > Try some light Winter pruning. It sometimes stimulates the trees to
> > produce
> > blossoms.
> >
> > Check the chemical makeup of the soil around the trees. It could be
> > something
> > like a Nitrogen deficiency, or something else.
> >
> > Try pruning some of the trees shading the apple trees to see if light
> > is a factor. As
> > I have mentioned elsewhere in this thread, I have apple and other
> > fruit trees that
> > do ok in partial sun. It depends somewhat on which variety you have.
> >
> > Sherwin D.
> >
> > TG wrote:
> >
> >> Thanks for the answers all.
> >>
> >> The first year they did not produce, it was the next year.
> >>
> >> There has been very little or no blossoming in the past 2 springs
> >>
> >> I am in zone 2 or 2a, and I'm not sure what the trees are as the labels

Just noticed this remark. You are in a very cold climate where most apple
varieties
will not thrive, or may even die. If your variety is not very cold hearty,
that could also
be the problem here. Strange that you were able to get blossoms the first
year, but you
may have had a mild winter that year.

Sherwin D.

>

Report this message

#16: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-23 00:10:34 by Jangchub

Eventually your trees will stop producing because of the low light
situation.

In the case of the original poster, apple trees don't actually start
producing fruit for up to seven or more years old. The first few are
from stress related last ditch effort to produce seeds. Nature is
interesting.


On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 00:10:57 -0500, sherwindu <sherwindu@comcast.net>
wrote:

>Say about 4 hours. Most of my apple trees are semi-dwarfs on the west side of my
>house and only get the afternoon sun. A few are on my south boundary north of a
>line of my neighbors tall pines and buckthorn. Even less light gets there.
>
> Sherwin D.
>
>Jangchub wrote:
>
>> How long is half a day?
>>
>> On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:11:59 -0500, sherwindu <sherwindu@comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >Maybe you should tell that to several apple trees in my backyard getting a half
>> >day
>> >of sun.
>> >
>> > Sherwin D.
>> >
>> >Jangchub wrote:
>> >
>> >> You will most likely never get apples. They require full sunshine.
>> >> Anything else I can say is moot. However, you also have to select the
>> >> proper chill hour trees.
>> >>
>> >> On Mon, 19 Jun 2006 22:41:37 GMT, TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >I picked up three apple trees 3 or 4 years back (in the spring), and
>> >> >planted them in a semi shaded area, where there are some birch and
>> >> >poplar trees growing about 3 meters away. All three trees produced fruit
>> >> >the next year, (which surprised me) but have produced little or nothing
>> >> >since.
>> >> >
>> >> >They dont get a lot of direct sunlight where they are, but they seem to
>> >> >be growing well and thriving, just not producing fruit. Last spring (05)
>> >> >I planted 2 more in an area that gets a bit more sun and slightly more
>> >> >out in the open, and it looks like they will produce a lot this fall.
>> >> >
>> >> >Anyway, back to the first three I planted, I am wondering if it is a
>> >> >matter of pruning, location, or both. I suppose I could possible move
>> >> >them, although they are probably quite well rooted by now. But I have
>> >> >seen other apple trees growing wild where they were quite shaded and
>> >> >there was tons of apples on them, mind you that was in coastal BC and I
>> >> >now live in northeastern Alberta.
>> >> >
>> >> >So if anyone here could help me out I'd be grateful! I can send jpegs of
>> >> >the trees locations or of the trees themselves if that would help...
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >TIA

Report this message

#17: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-23 06:44:24 by sherwindu

Eventually??? My trees have been producing for 15 years! I think they will continue
to produce until they die of old age. Some of them will probably outlive me.

Jangchub wrote:

> Eventually your trees will stop producing because of the low light
> situation.
>
> In the case of the original poster, apple trees don't actually start
> producing fruit for up to seven or more years old.

You are talking about Standard size trees. Dwarfs and semi-dwarfs
produce several years earlier. I have had trees produce a few apples
one year after I grafted them. I skipped letting them grow, but I get
several more on successive seasons.

> The first few are
> from stress related last ditch effort to produce seeds. Nature is
> interesting.

This last ditch effort is just that. A tree is dying. In his case, the trees have
been healthy for a few years after planting, although the blossom production
is still a problem.

I'm curious if you are getting these ideas from your own experiences, or are
interpreting what you were told or read about.

Sherwin D.

>
>

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#18: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-23 17:59:25 by TG

Jangchub wrote:
> Eventually your trees will stop producing because of the low light
> situation.
>
> In the case of the original poster, apple trees don't actually start
> producing fruit for up to seven or more years old. The first few are
> from stress related last ditch effort to produce seeds. Nature is
> interesting.
>
From when do you start counting the seven years? From when they are
transplanted? Or sprouted from a cutting or seed?

The trees were in 5 gallon pots and about 6' tall when I planted them.

Report this message

#19: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-23 18:06:10 by simy1

TG wrote:
> Thanks for the answers all.
>
> The first year they did not produce, it was the next year.
>
> There has been very little or no blossoming in the past 2 springs
>
> I am in zone 2 or 2a, and I'm not sure what the trees are as the labels
> have faded.
>

This is, of course, the whole story. It is too cold there for apple
trees, and they don't fruit.

Report this message

#20: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-23 19:34:24 by Jangchub

On Fri, 23 Jun 2006 15:59:25 GMT, TG <spam@spam.com> wrote:

>Jangchub wrote:
>> Eventually your trees will stop producing because of the low light
>> situation.
>>
>> In the case of the original poster, apple trees don't actually start
>> producing fruit for up to seven or more years old. The first few are
>> from stress related last ditch effort to produce seeds. Nature is
>> interesting.
>>
> From when do you start counting the seven years? From when they are
>transplanted? Or sprouted from a cutting or seed?
>
>The trees were in 5 gallon pots and about 6' tall when I planted them.

From the day it is planted in the ground.

Report this message

#21: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-24 06:21:08 by sherwindu

What would really help is if you tell us what variety of apple these are, and on
what
kind of rootstock (dwarf, semi-dwarf, or standard).

Sherwin D.

TG wrote:

> Jangchub wrote:
> > Eventually your trees will stop producing because of the low light
> > situation.
> >
> > In the case of the original poster, apple trees don't actually start
> > producing fruit for up to seven or more years old. The first few are
> > from stress related last ditch effort to produce seeds. Nature is
> > interesting.
> >
> From when do you start counting the seven years? From when they are
> transplanted? Or sprouted from a cutting or seed?
>
> The trees were in 5 gallon pots and about 6' tall when I planted them.

Report this message

#22: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-24 06:53:58 by sherwindu

Just thumbing through my apple inventory book I came across 'Rosthern 18',
'Parkland', and 'Vista Bella', all hardy to Zone 2. I'm sure there are more,
but I think you should get my point. TIA lives in Alberta Provence where they
grow lots of apples. Here is a reference to the Fruit Growers Society of
Alberta,
where they have a fruit orchard with over 50 varieties of apples.

http://www.albertafruit.com/farms/html/pork-palace.html

You might want to check your facts next time.

Sherwin D.

simy1 wrote:

> TG wrote:
> > Thanks for the answers all.
> >
> > The first year they did not produce, it was the next year.
> >
> > There has been very little or no blossoming in the past 2 springs
> >
> > I am in zone 2 or 2a, and I'm not sure what the trees are as the labels
> > have faded.
> >
>
> This is, of course, the whole story. It is too cold there for apple
> trees, and they don't fruit.

Report this message

#23: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-24 21:08:18 by simy1

sherwindu wrote:
> where they have a fruit orchard with over 50 varieties of apples.
>
> http://www.albertafruit.com/farms/html/pork-palace.html
>
> You might want to check your facts next time.
>
> Sherwin D.

Zone 2, in shade, and perhaps the soil is even clay and stays cold for
a long time in spring. Once it is so marginal, it takes little to stop
producing.

Report this message

#24: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-25 07:56:57 by sherwindu

Until he tells us which variety he is growing, we can draw no conclusions.


simy1 wrote:

> sherwindu wrote:
> > where they have a fruit orchard with over 50 varieties of apples.
> >
> > http://www.albertafruit.com/farms/html/pork-palace.html
> >
> > You might want to check your facts next time.
> >
> > Sherwin D.
>
> Zone 2, in shade, and perhaps the soil is even clay and stays cold for
> a long time in spring. Once it is so marginal, it takes little to stop
> producing.

Report this message

#25: Re: 3 year old apple trees not producing any more

Posted on 2006-06-26 17:35:48 by TG

I'll try and find out, the labels are faded on the older trees, but I
think I still have the newer ones.

Lots of people grow apple trees up here, and the nurseries are usually
pretty carefull only to sell varieties that will grow in this zone.



sherwindu wrote:
> Until he tells us which variety he is growing, we can draw no conclusions.
>
>
> simy1 wrote:
>
>
>>sherwindu wrote:
>>
>>>where they have a fruit orchard with over 50 varieties of apples.
>>>
>>> http://www.albertafruit.com/farms/html/pork-palace.html
>>>
>>> You might want to check your facts next time.
>>>
>>> Sherwin D.
>>
>>Zone 2, in shade, and perhaps the soil is even clay and stays cold for
>>a long time in spring. Once it is so marginal, it takes little to stop
>>producing.
>
>

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