Hi- could you please send a photo of the entire tree and a photo of one of the main branches? Also, please tell us the name of the cultivar, rootstock if you know it, and whether you have more than one cultivar for cross-pollination.

A 4 to 5 year old dwarf apple tree would normally be producing flowers and some fruit. Shoots growing above horizontal, insufficient sunlight, and removing fruiting spurs inadvertently are some possible reasons for a lack of flowers and fruit.

Jon 

On 05/30/2021 1:37 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

 

 

Dear Robert,

Thank you for using Ask Extension. A request for support has been created and a representative will follow-up with you as soon as possible. You can view this question's progress online.

YOUR QUESTION #0022888:

apple espelier

 

I planted an apple espelier 3 years ago. It is growing nicely and I am training the 3 main branches without any issue. It has plenty of leaves and branches which I prune to the 3rd node beyond the main branch leaf twice per year ( July and December ). I mulch around it, water it deeply every several weeks depending on rainfall. So, why no blossoms and apples as yet ???

 

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Hi- prune vertical shoots back to the branch arms and prune all other 1st year shoots back to the 3rd leaf. Stop all dormant season pruning. Pruning should be done in June and July which should encourage fruit spur formation, blooms, and fruits. The lack of spur formation and fruiting to this point suggests that the tree has been putting too much energy into leaf and shoot development.

We can't easily see the graft union of the tree. Be sure that the union between the rootstock and scion was not buried. It should be 3-4 inches above the soil line.

Jon

On 06/03/2021 10:01 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

 

 

Hi- vertical shoots should be cut at the point where they attach to a branch. Because of their vertical position they will continue to grow vegetatively and will not form fruiting spurs. 

The shoots growing at an angle <45 degrees should be pruned back to the third leaf. This should encourage spur formation.

You may also want to go back to the vendor and find out which specific cultivar you planted so you can learn more about its unique characteristics. 

The tree appears vigorous. Overfertilizing, especially with nitrogen can be a factor keeping an apple tree in a juvenile state. You may want to test the soil in the growing area this fall to get baseline soil nutrient and pH information.

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/soil-testing-and-soil-testing-labs

Jon