Last year we harvested one, singular apple from our tiny new twig of an apple tree. We sliced the tiny Anna apple into four pieces and passed it out to the children. It was a precious preview of what was to come; sometimes it's years before you know if you picked a good fruit tree or not. The group consensus was, "Hooray, these little apples are tasty!"
This year, both tiny apple trees are covered with fruit. I feel equal pride and pity for their load. They are bent over and moaning. A beautiful ordeal—like an achy pregnant woman approaching her due date.
*The Horticultural Scoop: One tree is a green Anna Apple, the other is a Dorsett Golden. Not all trees will cross-pollinate, but these will, allowing us to have two varieties come harvest time. Soon, soon.
You’ll be able to enjoy a LOT of apple pie..! 🙂
As the fruit gets bigger, try to thin it out. I know that sounds awful but this will allow two things – one is for the remaining fruit to grow full size and two, it won’t snap your delicate branches! I’m having the same issue right now with my peach tree that my dad grew from a pit a few years ago. Last year we got ONE tiny peach and this year it is absolutely loaded. Can’t wait!
Second the motion for thinning the fruit. You might want to ask your county agricultural extension agent for advice. Some decades ago when I was a bona fide plant scientist, the general wisdom was to not allow the trees to set any fruit for the first three or even five years, allowing the new tree to channel all its energy toward growing a sturdy stem and a robust root system. A tree that is overtaxed when young will bear much less fruit over its lifetime. Even well matured trees can benefit from thinning the fruit.
I’m happy to hear your apple tree is doing well. We are moving to AZ from WA and we’ll be leaving our apple tree that is doing really well right now. It’s nice to know I can grow apples there too. I’ll have to learn what plants do well there. Love the photo of the blossoms!
That photograph left me stunned. I liked that feeling so I pinned it. I plan to look at it again tomorrow.
Thank you for the joy,
Mary
I LOVE hearing your take on pruning. Thank you, RC & Carol. Isaac and I wonder what would be best to do in that regard, but haven’t begun our research yet.
Mary, your comment reminds me that I need to post about my new camera. It’s so mighty for its size. I’m in love. Thank you, btw.