Knowledgebase

Apple Tree Issue's #808200

Asked August 26, 2022, 5:33 PM EDT

Hi, I really need help with an apple tree. I bought a Honeycrisp Tree to plant like 12 years ago. It took a good 8 years to produce and apple and then after that it produced only a few for the next few years. This tree is way messed up. I probably planted it in the wrong place. The limbs are growing crooked...i have attempted to fix that, i have pruned it and probably pruned it wrong at the wrong time of year. I have done all of that I am sure. lol But since i have been getting apples I do believe i have the apple maggots or whatever disease it is that causes apples to get holes all over them and to grow lopsided and funny. I have never had a nice apple from this tree. In fact, the next 3 steps i am going to take is talk to you or someone (if you can help me) in my area to help me get this straightened out as it needs to be pruned badly and correctly, I also know i need some kind of treatment plan (am using tanglefoot and sprayed with BT this year, the best i could but its a big tree and in the past 3 years I have put mesh bags around apples). The next thing i am going to do is top it to help straighten it out if that is even logical and the last thing i will do is cut it down. LOL Super frustrated. I have another smaller tree which is having similar problems but its smaller and easier to work with. I think I might actually have 4 apples on that tree that are viable this year. The rest have whatever disease afflicting the big tree also. Thanks for any help you can give me. Like i said, i am super frustrated.

Sherburne County Minnesota

Expert Response

Have a certified arborist make an inspection of your tree and schedule pruning for late winter (just before bud break).  This is the wrong time of year to prune an apple tree because of the possibility of disease.  Your apples are showing apple maggot damage.  Bagging them needs to be done while they are very small, no larger than a green olive.  I am giving you two links.  One will help you find a certified arborist.  Click on Find An Arborist and put in your zip code when prompted to find a list of certified arborists in your area.  The second one addresses the problem of apple maggots.  

TreesAreGood.org   

Apple maggots | UMN Extension


Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied August 26, 2022, 11:03 PM EDT

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