On 02/10/2014 14:23, mark wrote:
I have some small but established apple trees. The soil they are in is weak
and more sandy than anything.

Production is disappointing and not anywhere like that of similar sized
trees that I've seen.

Would a mulch of manure around each tree help? Is this a good time to do it?

I have read on the web not to add manure because it'll not encourage the
roots to go on the search for food. I can see the logic of this for new
trees but mine are a few years old.

Any views?


mark





You don't say if you have blossom at the appropriate time ... followed
by bees or other pollinators during that time. Lack of either would
account for an unproductive tree. Also, if you're pruning incorrectly,
you may be cutting out flowering wood.

By all means follow David's advice and mulch well, but water the trees
really thoroughly first. The mulch will help to hold the water in as
well as suppressing weeds and improving the soil. In the spring, give a
high potash feed to encourage flowering. If you're unsure of your
pruning, then give it a miss and see what happens.

--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay