"Spider" wrote in message
...
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.



Blossom was fine. I'll go with the advice to mulch, water and feed. Thank
you.

mark